A vessel believed to be linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ‘shadow fleet’ and suspected of evading trade restrictions on Russian oil has been sighted in the English Channel shortly after British and US forces intercepted another ship violating sanctions. The tanker, named Tavian, is currently navigating around 20 miles north of Guernsey en route to Finland, as per ship tracking data. Tavian, which was sanctioned by the US in 2024, was previously detected in the Baltic Sea near Germany, marking the first attempt by a Russian vessel to take that route.
In response to the recent interception of a Russian tanker in the North Atlantic, a member of Keir Starmer’s cabinet expressed the UK’s readiness to support such actions. Douglas Alexander highlighted the importance of international collaboration, mentioning the UK’s assistance alongside the US in thwarting Russian sanction violations that contribute to the conflict in Ukraine. The UK provided support through RAF surveillance aircraft and the naval supply ship RFA Tideforce during the operation.
The vessel, formerly known as Bella 1 and associated with Venezuela, was seized between Iceland and Scotland after attempting to evade sanctions. Following the successful operation, the US military’s European Command expressed gratitude to the UK for its steadfast cooperation. Discussing the operation, Mr. Alexander emphasized the vessel’s statelessness under international law and its role in funding Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine.
He reiterated the UK’s commitment to combatting illicit funding that supports conflict and terrorism globally, emphasizing the importance of working with allies to counter ongoing Russian sanction evasions. Authorities are actively seeking ways to disrupt the financial channels that fuel Russia’s military activities, aligning with the UK’s national interests in promoting peace and stability.