A vessel believed to be part of Vladimir Putin’s ‘shadow fleet’ and suspected of evading restrictions on Russian oil trade has been identified as the Tavian oil tanker. The ship is currently navigating approximately 20 miles north of Guernsey en route to Finland, as per ship tracking data. Previously listed on the US sanctions register in 2024, Tavian was recently tracked passing the Baltic Sea near the German coast, marking the first time a Russian vessel attempted this route.
Following a dramatic US operation seizing a Russian-flagged tanker in the North Atlantic, a UK cabinet member expressed full support for combating Russian sanction evasion. The vessel, Marinera, was linked to funding Russia’s activities in Ukraine. The UK collaborated with the US, providing RAF surveillance aircraft and naval support for the operation, which involved US special operations aircraft landing in Scotland.
The vessel, formerly known as Bella 1 and associated with Venezuela, was intercepted between Iceland and Scotland. The US European Command acknowledged the UK’s crucial role in the operation. Addressing the situation, the UK official emphasized the importance of preventing illegal funding of conflicts. He stressed the need for international cooperation to thwart Russia’s ongoing sanction-busting activities, particularly in supporting the war in Ukraine.
Efforts are ongoing to disrupt channels financing Russia’s military actions. The UK government remains committed to working with allies to counter Russian attempts at circumventing sanctions.
