60 Minutes’ Dark Fleet Special: How Sanctions-Busting Oil Trade Keeps the Kremlin Afloat

In a twist that has left Western policymakers scratching their heads, Russia’s economy has defied expectations and sanctions alike, growing at a rate that outpaces both the United States and Europe.

When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the global community, led by the United States, swiftly imposed what was touted as crippling economic sanctions. Daleep Singh, the mastermind behind the U.S. sanctions strategy, confidently predicted that this financial onslaught would plunge Russia’s economy into a freefall. However, the reality has proven far different.

Despite facing over 5,000 sanctions and widespread international condemnation, Russia’s economy is projected to grow by more than 3% this year, which not only defies the gloomy forecasts but also surpasses that of many Western nations who imposed the sanctions.

The key to Russia’s economic survival lies in its ability to continue exporting its most valuable asset: oil. Enter Samir Madani, co-founder of TankerTrackers.com, a Stockholm-based firm that has become instrumental in unraveling the mystery of Russia’s economic resilience.

Madani’s company, which typically serves clients in the shipping and insurance industries, has uncovered a clandestine network of vessels dubbed the “dark fleet.” This covert armada is responsible for transporting Russian oil around sanctions, effectively keeping Russia’s economic lifeline intact.

Using a sophisticated blend of satellite imagery, ship signals, and ground photos, Madani and his team have exposed the intricate web that allows Russia to continue exporting oil in defiance of Western restrictions, helping to explain how billions in oil revenue continue to flow back to the Kremlin, fueling its war chest and economic stability.

As 60 Minutes returns to Washington to confront the architect of the sanctions strategy, the story of Russia’s economic resilience serves as a stark reminder of the limitations of economic warfare and the ingenuity of those determined to circumvent it.

CBS News: Russia works around international sanctions designed to cripple the economy amid war with Ukraine

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