The “shadow” fleet algorithm was developed by Kremenchug businessman Vitaly Marchenko, who is the owner of Alfa Group 77 LLC and Energoresurs LLC, the actual owner of the VM-Groupe group of companies and controls Azares LLC, Allur Oil LLC, Trading house Kremenchug.
According to the investigation, in order to cover up the illegal activities of the organization headed by Marchenko, the businessman could have entered into a criminal conspiracy with the people’s deputy from the “For the Future” party, Yuri Shapovalov.
The investigation leads to correspondence between Shapovalov and Marchenko. In the messages, the MP writes to the businessman that “petroleum products from Russian oil produced outside Russia are not subject to EU sanctions.” In turn, Marchenko allegedly responds to such a message with a laconic: “Super!”
“Shapovalov also allegedly sends several links to advertisements for the sale of oil tankers in Turkey to discuss their purchase for transporting oil products, including those of Russian origin. So, while Russia buys weapons and ammunition with money from oil sales, the MP seems to continue to promote business on the blood of Ukrainians?” – the authors note.
According to law enforcement agencies, the VM-Groupe group of companies, controlled by Marchenko, owns five oil tankers:
– “Oris Marine” (IMO 9179488), acquired in June 2023.
- "Oris Di" (IMO 9245299), also acquired in June 2023.
– “Oris Sofi” (IMO 8920282), purchased in June 2023.
- "Oris Helga" (IMO 9483619), acquired in October 2023.
– “ORIS Grace” (IMO 9658422), acquired in early 2024.
The tanker "Oris Marine" is registered under the flag of Liberia, with a home port in the capital of the country, Monrovia. Its carrying capacity is 3200 tons.
According to the European Commission database, the registered owner of this vessel from March 1, 2023 allegedly became the company FLAGMAN MARINE LTD, located in Malta.
“However, the most interesting thing is that among the owners of the said company, it seems that there are two people who are probably closely connected with the organizers of the “oil” scheme. In particular, we are allegedly talking about: Maria Marchenko - probably the wife of businessman Vitalia Marchenko and Liana Shamray - Her husband, Yuri Shamray, is allegedly a long-term companion of Shapovalov and a co-founder together with the latter of the NGO "Federation of Automobile Sports of Kremenchug". In addition, Liana Shamray and Yuri Shapovalov at different times allegedly held the position of director in the Foxtrot Kremenchug company, indicating a long-term business relationship between these individuals.
Vessels of the company FLAGMAN MARINE LTD, it seems, regularly transported oil by sea and were unloaded on the territory of Ukraine at the Izmail commercial sea port, after which the oil products were distributed for further use,” the investigation notes.
