Estonian Prime Minister Commits to Vigilant Oversight of Russia's Covert Maritime Operations

By Andrius Sytas

TALLINN, May 18 (Reuters) – Estonia is committed to monitoring Russian vessels linked to the “shadow fleet,” Prime Minister Kristen Michal shared with Reuters on Sunday. This statement comes shortly after a tense encounter where a Russian SU-35 fighter jet intervened as Estonia sought to redirect one of these ships.The incident involved an oil tanker believed to be circumventing Western sanctions imposed on Russia due to its actions in Ukraine. Despite the jet’s brief incursion into NATO airspace during this operation, Michal emphasized that Estonia’s resolve remains unchanged. “We’re not backing down,” he stated, highlighting that both Estonians and Finns will keep a close watch on such vessels and raise concerns if anything seems off.

Interestingly, while the Estonian Navy opted not to board the suspicious tanker—which eventually made its way into Russian waters under military escort—this isn’t their first run-in with shadow fleet operations.Just last month, they detained another vessel named Kiwala.

Estonia estimates that around 60% of Russia’s oil revenue is funneled through these shadowy shipments primarily heading towards markets in China and India.These ships frequently enough operate under murky ownership structures and lack proper Western insurance or safety certifications, typically loading up at ports along the Baltic Sea before navigating between Estonia and Finland.

“It’s no surprise that Russia feels uneasy,” Michal remarked, advocating for stricter limits on Russian oil imports. He raised an notable question: “How can it be that four years into this conflict, Russia continues selling goods globally?”

From Moscow’s outlook, sanctions are seen as economic warfare aimed at crippling their economy; they assert their right for free passage in baltic waters.

DEFENSE SPENDING INCREASE

Estonia has been vocal about its stance against Russia within NATO and the EU—a historical context rooted in its annexation by the Soviet Union during World War II when territories were divided between Nazi Germany and Stalinist forces.

For Michal, establishing peace with Russia hinges on military strength. To bolster defense capabilities, Estonia has committed at least 5% of its GDP towards military spending and hopes larger NATO allies will follow suit during an upcoming summit in The Hague next month.

“Raising taxes for defense isn’t popular,” he acknowledged candidly but stressed it’s necessary for national security. He also expressed hope that U.S. President Donald Trump would address potential new sanctions during his scheduled call with President Vladimir Putin soon.

“I trust he’ll maintain pressure,” he concluded confidently.

(Reporting by Andrius Sytas in Tallinn; Editing by Helen Popper)
(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2025

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