US EditionBelgium Seizes Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker in First-Ever Interception
Belgian forces, aided by French military, seized the sanctioned Russian tanker Ethera from the shadow fleet to cut off funds for Russia's war in Ukraine, officials said.
- On Saturday night, Defence minister Theo Francken reported Belgian armed forces and Belgian special forces seized an oil tanker in the North Sea; "The ship is currently being escorted to the port of Zeebrugge, where it will be seized," Francken said.
- Western sanctions after 2022 spurred the rise of a shadow fleet that helps Moscow keep crude exports flowing using ageing tankers with opaque ownership, raising environmental risks.
- Theo Francken said the vessel is suspected to have used false documents, and Belgian officials allege it sailed under a false flag with false documents, with Prevot thanking special forces for their 'exceptional professionalism and courage' after the interception.
- Belgium framed the operation as part of sanctions enforcement, with Francken saying Belgium took its responsibility seriously and stressing sanctions must be enforced until the aggression stops.
- The operation was carried out alongside G7, Nordic and Baltic partners and France, signaling multinational enforcement amid claims the Russian shadow fleet sustains Moscow's crude exports and funds the war.
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141 Articles
Belgian special forces, with French assistance, stopped a Russian oil tanker belonging to the shadow fleet. Emmanuel Macron praised the operation.
Belgium seizes Russian ‘shadow fleet’ tanker Ethera with French support
Belgium, with support from France, has detained a tanker from Russia’s “shadow fleet” used to export oil in violation of sanctions. Media reports identify the vessel as the 180-meter crude carrier Ethera. Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken announced the seizure on X, saying Belgian armed forces acted with French support and boarded the ship. “The vessel is currently being escorted to the port of Zeebrugge, where it will be seized. Operation …
Belgium claims to have set up an oil tanker of the Russian shadow fleet.
Belgian special forces intercepted in the night in the North Sea a ship belonging to the "phantom fleet", announced on Sunday 1 March the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs. This fleet is used by Russia to circumvent Western sanctions related to the war in Ukraine.
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