Uniformed armed personnel have been identified on ships associated with Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” according to Sweden’s navy, as Moscow intensifies its military presence along crucial shipping corridors in the Baltic Sea.

Commodore Marko Petkovic, who oversees operations for Sweden’s navy, informed Swedish broadcaster SVT that these individuals are likely associated with private security firms.

He remarked that Russia’s naval presence in the area has become “more established and more conspicuous,” with warships frequently operating in critical regions of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland.

“The Russian Navy periodically engages in various locations within the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland, seemingly supporting this shadow fleet’s activities,” Petkovic stated.

Military sources referenced by SVT indicated that Russia’s actions represent an ongoing patrol operation near significant maritime routes, conducted by the Baltic Fleet.

Western officials refer to the term “shadow fleet” to denote aging tankers and other vessels utilized by Russia to transport oil and petroleum products while circumventing international sanctions enacted due to its conflict in Ukraine.

Reports of Russia deploying warships to accompany these tankers surfaced in May when Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen described the maneuver as unprecedented.