Estonia will not attempt to seize Russia's "shadow fleet" tankers in the Baltic, saying the risk of military escalation is too high. The decision follows a May 2025 incident in which a Russian fighter jet escorted a tanker back into Russian waters. Moscow now maintains armed patrols in the Gulf of Finland, and Vaindloo Anchorage has seen tanker numbers rise to roughly 30–40. Estonia says it would intervene only in imminent-danger scenarios such as oil spills or undersea infrastructure damage.
Estonia Refuses To Seize Russia's 'Shadow Fleet' In Baltic, Citing Risk Of Military Escalation
Russia's Navy patrol boat next to the Russia shadow fleet vessel as it waits in the unofficial anchorage area in the Gulf of Finland near Vaindloo, Estonia April 10, 2026. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins
Estonia has decided not to attempt detaining vessels from Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" in the Baltic Sea, saying that boarding sanctioned oil tankers and other ships risks provoking a military response from Moscow, Navy Commander Ivo Vark said on Friday.
Commander of Estonian Navy Ivo Vark speaks to media in Tallinn, Estonia April 10, 2026. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins
Several European countries, including the UK, France, Belgium and Sweden, have stepped up efforts to detain ageing tankers that analysts say help Moscow generate revenue for its war in Ukraine. Estonia, however, is taking a more cautious approach after an unsuccessful boarding attempt last year.
Russia's shadow fleet vessels wait in the unofficial anchorage area in the Gulf of Finland near Vaindloo, Estonia April 10, 2026. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins
"The risk of military escalation is just too high," Vark told Reuters. In May 2025 Estonian authorities said a Russian fighter jet entered NATO airspace over the Baltic Sea while Estonia attempted to stop an unflagged tanker bound for Russia; the jet ultimately escorted the tanker back into Russian waters.
Russia's Navy patrol boat next to the Russia's shadow fleet vessel as it waits in the unofficial anchorage area in the Gulf of Finland near Vaindloo, Estonia April 10, 2026. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins
Tankers Awaiting Oil Cargo
Commander Vark said that since that episode Moscow has maintained a near-permanent patrol of two to three armed vessels in the Gulf of Finland and has deployed additional ships along Baltic Sea routes used by tankers. "The Russian military presence here in the Gulf of Finland has become much, much more evident," he said.
Russia's shadow fleet vessels wait in the unofficial anchorage area in the Gulf of Finland near Vaindloo, Estonia April 10, 2026. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins
Estonia says it would only consider intervening in cases of imminent danger, such as significant damage to underwater infrastructure or a major oil spill, because the risk of military engagement is too great. Vark contrasted the situation with the Atlantic and the North Sea, where fewer Russian vessels afford authorities more time and flexibility to act against sanctioned ships.
Reporters aboard an Estonian navy vessel observed a Russian corvette near a large group of idled tankers at the Vaindloo Anchorage inside Estonia's exclusive economic zone. Vark said the number of tankers there has roughly tripled this week to about 30–40 vessels after recent Ukrainian drone strikes disrupted Russian port loading schedules.
The Kremlin says its ships have a right to free passage in the Baltic Sea and has warned it would respond to any attempt to prevent them from sailing. That stance, together with heightened Russian naval activity, has informed Estonia's restrained policy toward seizing vessels in the Baltic for now.
Reporting by Andrius Sytas; edited for clarity and style.
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