Bangladesh, March 10 -- The global effort to isolate Russias energy sector through sanctions has triggered an elaborate counterstrategy from Moscow — one that increasingly blends commercial shipping with military and intelligence operations. An investigative analysis of crew records, intelligence assessments, and shipping data reveals that Russias so-called “shadow fleet” of oil tankers is now being staffed with veterans from elite military and security organizations, including the Wagner Group and the Russian military intelligence service known as the GRU.

These individuals, often listed as “supernumeraries” or “technicians” in crew manifests, appear to have little or no maritime qualifications....