On the front line of Europe's standoff with Russia's sanction-busting shadow fleet

Lucian Nemoiu

Out on the western Baltic, a coastguard officer radios a nearby, sanctioned oil tanker. "Swedish Coastguard calling… Do you consent to answer a few questions for us? Over." Through heavy static, barely audible answers crackle over from a crew member, who gradually lists the ship's insurance details, flag state and last port of call – Suez, Egypt. "I think this ship will go up to Russia and get oil," says Swedish investigator, Jonatan Tholin. This is the front line of Europe's uneasy standoff