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Sanctioned Russian shadow fleet tanker tried to pass Estonia’s EEZ unnoticed

The 'Marathon', part of Russia’s shadow fleet, attempted to pass unnoticed through Estonia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) during nighttime hours in order to avoid possible interception and inspection. The vessel had no valid registration at the time, a fact that would have given Estonian authorities the legal grounds to board and detain the ship. The tanjer crossed the Baltic Sea between June 11 and 13, 2025. Before entering Estonian waters, the vessel slowed down significantly and remained nearly stationary for approximately 28 hours. It then sped through Estonia’s EEZ shortly before sunrise on June 13 at around 4:00 a.m. UTC. During the crossing, the 'Marathon' did not anchor or stop and proceeded directly toward Russia. No boarding or escort by Estonian authorities was observed. The ship’s extended delay and choice to transit before daylight strongly suggest the crew aimed to minimize their time in Estonian waters — particularly during daylight hours, when the risk of aerial surveillance or boarding by authorities is higher. The 'Marathon' did not speed up in areas where other vessels had previously been intercepted, indicating the crew likely timed their passage carefully rather than simply trying to rush through Estonian waters. The Estonian authorities had the right to stop the tanker. Though the ship broadcasted an AIS signal indicating it was flying the flag of Cameroon, it had in fact lost its registration with Djibouti after being sanctioned by the EU, leaving it effectively flagless. The 'Marathon'’s timing strongly suggested that it sought to avoid even the possibility of a compliant boarding by transiting at night and not anchoring, effectively removing the window for legal engagement. On June 15, the Marathon entered the port of Primorsk in Russia’s Leningrad Region, where its draft increased, presumably due to cargo being loaded. The vessel departed on June16, with its current listed destination as Port Said, Egypt. The 'Marathon' is under sanctions from the UK, EU, and Canada.