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Belgium Seizes Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker in First-Ever Interception
Belgian forces, aided by French Navy helicopters, seized the sanctioned tanker Ethera linked to Russia's shadow fleet, disrupting a network generating billions in oil trade profits.
- 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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"Today, a ship from Russia's phantom fleet was intercepted in the North Sea," wrote Maxime Prévot in X, where he thanked the Belgian special forces for their "exceptional professionalism and courage."
Observador+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
Operation has been reported with special Belgian forces and international coordination. Petroleiro is part of the fleet used by Moscow to round out sanctions on oil exports.
·Portugal
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A new video shows how a ship in the Russian shadow fleet was taken over Sunday night. See more in the video.
·Denmark
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Total News Sources186
Leaning Left29Leaning Right32Center34Last UpdatedBias Distribution36% Center
Bias Distribution
- 36% of the sources are Center
36% Center
L 30%
C 36%
R 34%
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