A vessel suspected to be part of Vladimir Putin’s ‘shadow fleet’ and involved in evading restrictions on Russian oil trade has been sighted navigating the English Channel shortly after British and US forces intercepted another ship for violating sanctions. The tanker in question, named Tavian, is currently en route to Finland, approximately 20 miles north of Guernsey, as indicated by ship tracking data. Prior reports have also identified Tavian as a vessel listed on the US sanctions roster since 2024.
Notably, last month, Tavian was monitored transiting the Baltic Sea near the German coast, marking the inaugural attempt for a Russian vessel to take this particular route. The recent events follow statements from a UK cabinet member, Douglas Alexander, affirming Britain’s readiness to support actions against Russian sanction breaches. Alexander highlighted the necessity of international collaboration, such as the recent joint operation involving RAF surveillance aircraft and the naval supply ship RFA Tideforce, which assisted in apprehending a Venezuelan-affiliated vessel named Marinera.
The operation, which saw US special operations aircraft landing in the Scottish Highlands before proceeding further north, resulted in the successful interception of the vessel between Iceland and Scotland. Subsequent acknowledgments from the US military’s European Command expressed gratitude towards the UK for its steadfast backing during the mission.
Discussing the operation, Alexander emphasized the vessel’s status as a stateless entity under international law, noting its disabling of transponders. He underscored the vessel’s role in funding Russia’s activities in Ukraine, emphasizing the need to combat illicit financial support for conflict zones globally. The UK’s commitment to curtailing such financing channels was reiterated, highlighting the collaborative efforts with allies to address ongoing Russian sanction violations.