Russian tankers in the Black Sea are using identical spoofing devices to transmit false, frozen positions while sailing hundreds of miles away, according to research by University College London. At least 12 sanctioned vessels appear to have used the same method, broadcasting two Automatic Identification System (AIS) positions simultaneously — making it appear as though the ships were in two places at once. This coordinated deception is seen as a new tactic to avoid Ukrainian drone attacks and Western sanctions.
The double positioning was notably used as tankers passed through the Bosphorus, where Turkish authorities require position reporting. For example, the tanker Pirop broadcast a position near the Bosphorus while simultaneously claiming to be 800km away on the Turkish coast. All observed tankers had reflagged to Russia in the past year and many have been renamed using Russian gemstone terms like Gagat, Labrador, and Sapfir.
The vessels are also equipped with nets and cages to protect against drones. Kyiv claims to have hit over 300 Russian vessels in 11 weeks.
Source: Financial Times Companies · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing