The Shtandart MMSI 518999255, a Russian vessel under sanctions, claims not to be under a Russian flag, to be managed by a German company, and to be owned by a Finnish citizen. Given that it frequently disconnects its AIS, it is clear that this is a set-up designed to circumvent the sanctions, and that the Shtandart is a vessel belonging to the Russian shadow fleet. Meanwhile, in order to fuel public outrage and hatred against the authorities and the institutions, the Shtandart’s skipper and hidden owner pretends that it is because he was « once born in Russia » that his ship is sanctioned.
