In 2025, the Navy monitored 69 ships from the Russian Federation and carried out 373 monitoring operations on ships of the so-called “ghost fleet” during their passage through waters under national sovereignty or jurisdiction.
The 69 ships of the Russian Federation (31 military vessels, three scientific vessels, and 35 logistical support vessels) were monitored during 58 missions, which lasted a total of 606 hours (the equivalent of about 25 consecutive days). This task, carried out by the Navy ships, involved 2,900 military personnel (considering the total number of military personnel involved in each mission), and more than 6,815 nautical miles (more than 12,600 km) were covered in these monitoring operations.
Since 2022, the year the conflict in Ukraine began, the Navy has carried out 191 missions of this type, monitoring the passage of 212 ships from the Russian Federation (military, scientific and logistical support vessels).
It is also important to highlight the monitoring of ships from the so-called “ghost fleet,” which (frequently flying flags of convenience and with opaque ownership) allow the Russian Federation to export oil above the limits established by the G7 countries and their partners (in addition to other raw materials, also subject to sanctions), contributing to the Russian war effort in Ukraine. Indeed, in 2025, 373 monitoring actions were carried out on ships from this “ghost fleet” that sailed in waters under national sovereignty or jurisdiction.
Through these monitoring and surveillance actions, the Navy guarantees the defense and security of the Portuguese sea, contributes to the protection of critical underwater infrastructure in its maritime spaces, supports environmental protection, particularly in its Exclusive Economic Zone, and simultaneously ensures compliance with the commitments undertaken by Portugal within the framework of the Atlantic Alliance, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.