{"id":1334942,"date":"2025-12-19T17:33:33","date_gmt":"2025-12-19T15:33:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prm.ua\/the-trough-burned-down-how-the-sbu-got-to-the-russian-shadow-fleet\/"},"modified":"2025-12-20T04:02:56","modified_gmt":"2025-12-20T02:02:56","slug":"the-trough-burned-down-how-the-sbu-got-to-the-russian-shadow-fleet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prm.ua\/en\/the-trough-burned-down-how-the-sbu-got-to-the-russian-shadow-fleet\/","title":{"rendered":"A Bad Day at the Trough: The SBU and the Sudden Collapse of Russia\u2019s Shadow Fleet"},"content":{"rendered":"

Source: Author’s Facebook<\/a> page<\/em><\/p>\n

The SBU has reached the Mediterranean Sea. Some 2,000 kilometres from Ukraine, long-range drones operated by the SBU\u2019s Alpha Group struck and disabled another tanker from Russia\u2019s so-called \u201cshadow fleet.\u201d Observers have already dubbed the operation a \u201cspider web on water\u201d \u2014 a reference to the method used to deliver the drones to their target.<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are also rumours being actively circulated that not only was the tanker scrapped, but that a \u201cRussian state security officer\u201d \u2014 possibly even a general \u2014 may have been involved. This, however, has not been confirmed anywhere yet, and rightly so: first the carcass was ceremoniously buried, and only then did the fireworks begin.<\/p>\n

Moreover, Alpha demonstrated remarkable achievements not only in operational planning but also in ecology and diplomacy. The tanker QENDIL<\/em> was deliberately guided into neutral waters, thus avoiding the creation of an unpleasant precedent in any sovereign jurisdiction. It was struck only after it had been confirmed to be empty \u2014 a point the Service\u2019s specialists stress separately, noting that environmental considerations were a key factor in the planning. As a result, the marine biosphere was spared the spill of thousands of tonnes of oil.
\nAnd so the trough burned down, and was then limped into some port. With the critical damage sustained, it can no longer be used to transport oil (or stolen agricultural products from occupied Ukrainian territories, for which vessels of the \u201cshadow fleet\u201d are also frequently employed). It’s only remaining destination is the scrapyard.<\/p>\n\t\t