Russian oil smuggling network exposed by email server leak: report

A technical error uncovered a large network of companies allegedly involved in moving Russian oil while avoiding sanctions, according to a Financial Times investigation. The discovery centres on a private email server, mx.phoenixtrading.ltd, used by hundreds of domains linked to oil trading entities. Investigators traced connections between domain registrations, customs filings, and shipping records, revealing how Russian oil continued flowing globally despite sanctions imposed after the Ukraine war. The findings suggest coordinated operations behind companies that appeared unrelated, allowing sanctioned oil producers to sustain exports and revenue. Companies moved Russian crude The Financial Times identified 48 companies operating from different locations that appeared independent but shared email infrastructure and back office systems. Public records showed that 442 domains linked to…