Stockholm's icy conditions pose a heightened risk of oil spills in the Gulf of Finland, as conveyed by Ilja Iljin, deputy commander of the Finnish Coast Guard. The concern arises not specifically from the ice thickness but from the presence of vessels belonging to Russia's shadow fleet, which are reportedly ill-equipped for navigating icy waters. Iljin noted that around ten shadow fleet vessels travel the Gulf daily, often carrying oil. The shadow fleet refers to ships that Russia utilizes to circumvent international sanctions, some of which are known to be old and poorly maintained. Furthermore, these vessels might lack proper insurance or may be insured through companies with dubious reliability. Iljin emphasized the unlikelihood of these crews being adept at operating in icy conditions and expressed concerns about potential operational failures leading to spills. In the event of an oil incident, he assessed that the burden of costs would fall on the taxpayers of the coastal states. In light of these risks, discussions around maritime safety and environmental protection in the Baltic Sea region are becoming increasingly critical. The findings raise questions about regulatory oversight and the effectiveness of monitoring such vessels, which could have significant implications for both the environment and local economies that depend on tourism and fishing.