Russia Reacts to Estonia’s Seizure of “Shadow Fleet” Vessel: Cautious Diplomacy Amid Sanctions and Maritime Tensions

Introduction

On April 11, 2025, Estonian authorities detained the oil tanker Kiwala in the Gulf of Finland, marking the first time Estonia has seized a vessel linked to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet.” The Kiwala, sanctioned by the EU, UK, Canada, and Switzerland, was found to be stateless and in violation of multiple maritime safety and documentation regulations. The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of Russia’s efforts to circumvent Western oil sanctions and growing concerns over maritime security in the Baltic Sea. Moscow’s response has been notably cautious, avoiding direct escalation with NATO while focusing on maintaining its critical trade routes under mounting international pressure.