A Russian tanker sanctioned by the US is sailing through the English Channel just 24 hours after a similar vessel was seized by American forces with UK support. The Tavian, which was sanctioned in 2024 for its alleged involvement in illicit oil distribution, is reportedly sailing under a false name and a Cameroonian flag.
Tracking data showed the vessel around 25 miles north of Guernsey on Thursday afternoon, heading towards the Gulf of Finland. Defence experts have described it as a “zombie ship” because it is using a “dead vessel identity”, broadcasting the IMO number of a scrapped or deregistered vessel to avoid detection.
The development follows the dramatic seizure of the Russian-flagged tanker Marinera in the north Atlantic on Wednesday, with British forces providing support. Defence Secretary John Healey told MPs the ship had a “nefarious history” and was part of a “Russian-Iranian axis of sanctions evasion”.
UK ministers have insisted they will not be intimidated by fears of Russian retaliation. Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: “I don’t think we can be cowed from doing the right thing because of fear of Russia.” The Ministry of Defence declined to comment on specific operational details regarding the Tavian.
