A Russian oil tanker suspected of being part of Vladimir Putin's 'shadow fleet' has been detected sailing through the English Channel, mere hours after British and American forces concluded a dramatic operation to seize another vessel in the North Atlantic.
The 'Zombie' Ship's Route
Ship tracking data indicates the tanker, named Tavian, was moving approximately 20 miles north of Guernsey, heading towards Finland. The vessel was placed on a US sanctions list in 2024 and is believed to be used to circumvent restrictions on Russian oil trade, thereby helping to fund the war in Ukraine.
This sighting follows the tanker's notable passage through the Baltic Sea near the German coast last month, marking a first for a Russian vessel attempting that route.
Background: The Marinera Seizure
The Channel sighting comes just a day after a major joint UK-US operation resulted in the seizure of the Russian-flagged tanker Marinera in the North Atlantic. The vessel, also linked to Iran and Venezuela and previously known as the Bella 1, was intercepted as it travelled between Iceland and Scotland.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed to MPs that while RAF surveillance aircraft and the naval supply ship RFA Tideforce provided crucial assistance, no British personnel physically boarded the Marinera. US special operations forces executed the capture, with aircraft staging from Wick John O’Groats Airport in the Scottish Highlands.
UK Government's Stance on Sanction Busting
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland, Cabinet member Douglas Alexander underscored the UK's commitment to the operation. He described the Marinera as a "stateless" vessel that had turned off its transponders and was "part of the shadow fleet that funds Russia’s war effort in Ukraine".
"When we were asked by the United States to provide operational assistance... we were absolutely willing to step up," Alexander stated. He emphasised it is "right and reasonable" for the UK to work with allies to confront Russian attempts at sanction busting.
The US military’s European Command later thanked the UK for its "unwavering support" in the successful mission.
The rapid appearance of the Tavian in the English Channel so soon after the Marinera's seizure highlights the ongoing cat-and-mouse game in international waters. It underscores the persistent challenges Western nations face in enforcing sanctions designed to cripple the financing of Moscow's military campaign.
