Russia studies deploying armed naval escorts to protect its call ‘ghost fleet’ of tankers after one by one of their ships in the Mediterranean. The measure, still in the analysis phase, comes after an incident that Moscow attributes to Ukraine and that has raised alarms about the security of Russian energy transportation.
The announcement was made Nikolai Patrushev, Kremlin advisor and chairman of the Russian Maritime Councilwho has proposed the creation of “mobile fire groups” to accompany oil tankers on the high seasin addition to installing defensive systems directly on ships.
An attack that changes the scene
The trigger was the attack against Arctic Metagaz boata Russian-flagged LNG tanker would have been hit by naval drones off the coast of Libya, causing a fire on board.
According to sources close to the Kremlin cited by international media, Russia considers the incident a “act of international terrorism” and points directly to Ukraine as responsible. However, for now there is no independent confirmation of that authorship.
What is relevant is not only the attack, but what it implies: that Russian energy vessels are no longer untouchable outside their waters.
The ‘ghost fleet’: key to Russian oil
Since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia has developed a so-called ‘ghost fleet’. These are vessels that:
- They operate outside traditional routes.
- They change flag or owner.
- They use opaque structures to avoid sanctions.
The objective is continue exporting oil despite Western restrictions. This fleet has become an essential piece to sustain the country’s energy income.
Armed escorts and defense on board
The Russian response points to a change in strategy. It is not only about avoiding sanctions, but now also about physically protect ships.
Among the measures proposed:
- Armed naval escorts on key routes.
- Mobile defense units (‘fire groups’).
- Installation of defensive systems on the tankers themselves.
This represents a significant escalation, because it further militarizes energy transportation in international waters.
A growing risk in the sea and the Mediterranean in the spotlight
Patrushev has warned that the threat of attacks and sabotage against Russian ships “is not decreasing”. This opens a new front in the conflict, not only on land or air, but also in strategic maritime routes, and with a potential direct impact on the global energy market.
The attack off Libya puts the focus on Mediterranean as a sensitive area. It is not a minor detail. These routes are key for energy exports, international commercial traffic and the stability of oil prices. Any alteration can have consequences beyond the conflict.
Despite the seriousness of the accusations, it is worth emphasizing thator there is independent verification of the attack or its authorshipwhich introduces uncertainty into the story and forces official statements to be taken with caution.
