A Russian state oil tanker company changed the names of some of its ships to the names of Russian cities, in an attempt to confront the sanctions imposed by the United States on the company last February.

This bold step comes after the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on 21 tankers belonging to Sovcomflot PJSC, exposing the company to significant risks in international trade.

Not only did Sovcomflot change the names of its ships, it also changed its flags from Gabon to Russia. This move is an attempt by Russia to give the ships a higher degree of confidence in how they are used.

Renaming tankers may become a double-edged sword; It will make the ships and their connection to Russia more visible; Which may make it easier for Western countries to track and prosecute them.

Sovcomflot is the owner of the largest fleet of Aframax tankers in the world, each of which can carry approximately 700,000 barrels of oil. Russia relies heavily on the company's fleet to ensure the continued movement of oil, especially in light of Western sanctions.

Sovcomflot was not alone in changing the names of its ships, but other Russian companies followed the same approach in an attempt to confront the sanctions.

This step is an indication of Russia's determination to confront Western sanctions by all available means, even if this leads to using clever tricks such as changing the names of ships.

According to experts, the success of these tricks remains doubtful. Western countries are making great efforts to pursue and identify Russian ships, even if their names or flags have been changed.