Kremlin claims UK planning attack on shadow fleet

Moscow claims in a report from their secret service that Britain is orchestrating attacks on its shadow fleet of aging tankers, used to evade sanctions on Russian oil exports. The Kremlin’s foreign intelligence service, SVR, alleges that London plans “mass raids” to sink these vessels, staging the incidents as accidents to justify restricting their movements.

SVR stated that:

“British intelligence services are planning to use Nato allies to launch a mass raid on the ‘shadow fleet’; for this purpose, an ecological catastrophe in international waters is being prepared,”

The report suggests Ukraine’s special forces may be tasked with sinking a tanker in a critical maritime chokepoint or setting one ablaze in a Russia-friendly port. Experts, including Dr. Sidharth Kaushal from the Royal United Services Institute, warn that the report may signal Russia’s intent to stage a “false flag” operation to deflect blame for potential environmental disasters caused by the fleet’s unseaworthy ships.

Many vessels, often registered under flags of convenience like Comoros or Gabon, pose significant risks of oil spills. The SVR’s claims come as U.S. and EU sanctions have slashed the fleet’s oil transport from 50 million to under 20 million barrels monthly. Moscow’s accusations may also aim to counter potential U.S. tariffs targeting Russia’s oil trade.