Much like a gambler who devises a new scheme to fool the casino, Russia’s commercial fleets have started to engage in maritime operations under the radar in defiance of international sanctions.

Russian oil and chemical tankers are disabling their on-board automated identification systems (AIS), thereby keeping authorities in the dark as to their whereabouts while at sea. The move is seen as an attempt by Russia to circumvent international sanctions brought about by the country’s invasion of Ukraine last month.