The article focuses on the involvement of two individuals with security organization backgrounds sailing on shadow fleet tankers transporting sanctioned Russian oil through the Baltic Sea. These individuals, identified as having ties to the Wagner Group and the GRU, were documented by the investigative team from OCCRP, indicating a complex network aiding Russia's oil transport amidst sanctions.

Specifically, the report highlights the December 7, 2022 docking of the sanctioned oil tanker Kira K. at the Russian port of Ust-Luga, preparing to carry 734,000 barrels of oil owned by Lukoil. The crew list revealed a diverse mix of sailors from Myanmar, China, and Bangladesh, but it also included two Russian individuals denoted as 'excess' personnel, a term referring to crew members not part of the standard crew. This raises questions about the operational practices employed in the shadow fleet and the security arrangements surrounding the movement of Russian oil.

The introduction of personnel tied to military and private security forces onboard these vessels suggests a significant adaptation in the strategies Russia uses to circumvent international sanctions. With increased scrutiny on Russian oil exports, the continued operations of these shadow fleets, bolstered by the expertise of groups like Wagner and GRU, may indicate an ongoing challenge for international efforts aimed at enforcing sanctions and isolating Russia's economy.