RLRISE Moldova, a community of investigative journalists, programmers, and activists from the Republic of Moldova and Romania, attributes the tanker to the shadow fleet involved in russian oil exports.
On May 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions, which will enter into force on May 21, 2025, on the tanker for the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular high-risk shipping practices as specified in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly Resolution A.1192(33).
On May 09, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of the restrictions on the shadow fleet of the russian federation, including for engaging in activities aimed at destabilizing Ukraine, undermining/threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine or benefiting from or supporting the government of russia, and participating in the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products of russian origin, in particular, from russia to a third country.
The tanker is affiliated with Adel Ship Management SRL (Moldova), which manages tankers that help russia transport crude oil under Western sanctions. Adel Ship Management SRL is considered one of the largest carriers of russian crude oil, in particular, in the first half of 2024, the Moldova-based company shipped 2.6 million barrels of oil, which is approximately 2% of total russian exports.
During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and price-cap policy on russian oil, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic and Black seas to third countries.