First Russian shadow fleet vessel enters Channel since Smyrtos boarding
Summary
A Russian tanker named Forwarder, part of a "shadow fleet" that carries sanctioned Russian oil, has entered the English Channel for the first time since British forces boarded another Russian vessel, Smyrtos. Forwarder is sailing towards China, and its movement is being monitored by the UK Navy amid ongoing tensions over sanctions on Russia's oil exports.Key Facts
- Forwarder is a Russian-flagged tanker that left Primorsk port and entered the English Channel on Wednesday evening.
- It is carrying oil and heading to Dongying port in China.
- The UK, US, and EU sanctioned Forwarder in 2025 for smuggling Russian oil.
- The tanker had avoided the Channel recently after the UK boarded the Russian ship Smyrtos.
- The Royal Navy warship HMS Tyne was nearby while Forwarder was in the Channel.
- More than 700 "shadow fleet" tankers like Forwarder carry about 75% of Russia’s sanctioned oil.
- A Russian warship, Admiral Grigorovich, may escort such tankers and fired warning shots at a British yacht in the Channel recently.
- The UK and other Western countries are cautious about boarding Russian-flagged vessels due to risks of escalating conflicts.
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