Russia’s Illegal Fishing Fuels War in Ukraine, Exploits West Africa

While Western nations continue to strengthen sanctions against Russia, Moscow has reportedly found a novel revenue stream along the coast of West Africa. Experts from the U.S. Africa Command’s military magazine, ADF, as reported by Polish media outlet Onet, suggest large-scale illegal fishing is generating billions of dollars in income, indirectly supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Illegal Fishing: Billions in Losses for Africa

Experts estimate that the African continent loses approximately $11.2 billion annually to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, with roughly $9.4 billion of that loss concentrated in West Africa. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), over half of the fish stocks in the region are already in a biologically precarious state, meaning resources are being depleted faster than they can replenish.

ADF magazine emphasizes that this income is crucial for Russia to sustain its war efforts in Ukraine and mitigate the impact of Western sanctions. Russia consistently ranks among the countries most frequently associated with IUU fishing, second only to China, according to the IUU Fishing Risk Index.

Russia Expands Influence Through Fishing Agreements

Researcher Joseph Siegel from the University of Maryland has previously indicated that Moscow views African marine resources as an opportunity to expand its influence, similar to its activities involving gold, diamonds, oil, and gas.

In December 2025, Russia signed a fishing agreement with Morocco, allowing access to 10 Russian fishing vessels to Moroccan waters with a quota of up to 140,000 tons of slight fish, including sardines and mackerel. Moscow pays approximately $7 million annually for this access, while Morocco loses an estimated $500 million annually due to illegal fishing.

Sierra Leone has also granted Russia the right to catch up to 40,000 tons of fish per year, resulting in an estimated $50 million annual loss for the country due to illegal fishing.

Threats to Ecosystems and Circumvention of Regulations

Experts warn that increased interest in Africa’s marine resources will exacerbate the risk of overfishing. The activities of Russian, and some Chinese, vessels are often associated with disabling identification systems, transshipping fish at sea to conceal their origin, and overfishing of rare and protected species.

Vessels linked to the Kremlin have also been recorded engaging in suspicious activities in the waters of Alaska, Antarctica, the Arctic Ocean, Japan, and South Korea.

Economic Pressure on Russia

Meanwhile, Bloomberg reports that the Russian economy is facing increasing challenges. High war expenditures – accounting for approximately 38% of the state budget – and elevated interest rates are putting pressure on Russian companies. The metalworking industry is requesting tax breaks, while railway companies are seeking financial support to cover their debts.

Bank profits have declined, industrial indicators have turned negative at the beginning of 2026, inflation exceeds 4%, and many regions are experiencing budget deficits.