Russia's 'Ghost Fleet' Puts Turkey in Crosshairs Over Bosphorus Strait Access

An invisible fleet is sailing through a geopolitical fault line. A Russian 'ghost fleet' of sanctions-busting oil tankers is using Turkey's controlled Bosphorus Strait to reach the Black Sea, placing Ankara in an increasingly difficult position between its Western allies and Moscow. The issue was highlighted in a December 25, 2025, report from NPR's 'All Things Considered'.

A Sanctions-Evading Lifeline

The 'ghost fleet' refers to a sprawling network of often aging tankers with opaque ownership structures, designed to circumvent Western sanctions on Russian oil. These vessels are known to engage in deceptive practices, such as turning off their transponders to avoid tracking. According to the NPR report, their passage through the Bosphorus—the only maritime route to the Black Sea—has turned Turkey's role into a point of international contention. This traffic not only challenges the effectiveness of sanctions but also raises significant safety and environmental concerns for the narrow, busy waterway.

Ankara's Tightrope Walk

As a NATO member, Turkey faces mounting pressure from the U.S. and E.U. to enforce the sanctions regime more strictly. Western officials appear to be pushing Ankara for greater scrutiny of ships passing through its territorial waters. However, Turkey maintains a complex and vital economic relationship with Russia, spanning energy, trade, and tourism, which it can't afford to jeopardize. Analysts believe Ankara is likely attempting to maintain a delicate balance, citing its obligations to allow free passage under the Montreux Convention while navigating the competing demands of its partners.