Restricting Russia’s tanker fleet could collapse its economy within two years – expert

Borys Babin, lawyer, expert in international law, and professor, shared his opinions with Espreso TV.

“The main factor in the Russian economy is the activity of the tanker fleet as a source of income for the Kremlin. If operations of this fleet were reduced two or three times, there would be no question of further escalation or aggression against Ukraine. This is the main source of money for the Russian budget,” Babin stressed.

He noted that Russia has no viable alternatives for delivering oil to global markets on a large scale outside its tanker fleet. While limited Pacific trade with China could be disrupted through logistical measures, Babin argued that Russia’s Baltic, Black Sea, and Arctic trade could be significantly curtailed by Western partners through conventional international mechanisms.

“Even without martial law or wartime measures, restricting Russia’s tanker operations would inevitably lead to the collapse of its economy in a year or two,” he concluded.

• Earlier, intelligence reports suggested Russia has also been using its tanker fleet to support drone operations in Europe.