Overview

• A joint POLITICO and SourceMaterial investigation found at least five Russia-linked tankers left oil slicks in European waters over the past year, including two that were already under U.K. sanctions.
• The ships continued operating after the leaks, highlighting enforcement gaps and weak traceability documented using SkyTruth satellite imagery and Kpler shipping data.
• The European Commission’s 19th sanctions proposal would add 118 vessels and, according to documents reported by Bloomberg, target three companies accused of issuing false flags to at least eight tankers.
• Denmark announced tighter environmental inspections of older oil carriers transiting its straits to reduce risks from poorly maintained vessels moving to and from the Baltic Sea.
• President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia is using tankers for reconnaissance and sabotage, citing recent drone launches from ships, while Danish police examine possible links to drone sightings and French forces have boarded a suspect vessel.