The Royal Navy is on high alert amid fears thatVladimir Putin's shadowy oil tanker fleet could spark amilitary confrontationin the English Channel, as sanctioned vessels brazenly defy Western embargoes to fundRussia's war in Ukraine. Dozens of these tankers, part of a "shadow fleet" numbering up to 800, traverse the world's busiest shipping lane monthly, carrying cargoes worth millions and operating with apparent impunity despite fresh UK sanctions announced this week.
Security experts warn that escalating tensions could lead to direct clashes at sea, with Britain and its European allies potentially forced to intercept Russian-linked ships under escort. Professor Michael Clarke, a defence analyst, said: "There must come a point at which Britain and its allies—the Dutch, Danes, and Norwegians—get much tougher with these Russian ships, even if they're escorted.
Read more:Russia's Ukraine death toll just hit a 'crazy' new milestone
Read more:I was at MoD's chilling Ukraine war briefing – I’m worried about my kids' future
He toldSky News:"When that happens, we're heading probably sometime this year for some sort of militarised confrontation at sea."
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson emphasised that "deterring, disrupting and degrading the Russian shadow fleet is a priority," noting requests for insurance documents from over 600 vessels.
The alert follows sightings of sanctioned tankers, including the Rigel, Hyperion, and Kousai, which were tracked fromRussia's Baltic ports through the Dover Straits.
As Sky News reports, in the English Channel—less than two hours by fishing boat from Dover—some of the most potent weapons in Russia's war onUkraineare hiding in plain sight. On a misty February morning midway between Britain and France, tankers carrying Russian oil worth around $100m (£74.1m) cruise past in defiance of sanctions.
Skipper Matt Coker, aboard the fishing boat Portia, described them as a "routine sight" in the Channel: "When you see these Russian ships and oil tankers, it's a regular occurrence. To be honest, no one really takes any notice."
Set Daily Express as a 'Preferred Source' to get quicker access to the news you value.
Source: Daily Express :: World Feed
