British Navy tracked Russian tanker in English Channel: Details revealed
Photo: British Navy tracks Russian tanker MV General Skobelev (Getty Images)
The British Navy tracked a Russian tanker as it passed through the English Channel, as part of routine NATO monitoring of Russian shipping, according to Navy Lookout.
Two Royal Navy patrol vessels, HMS Mersey and HMS Severn, followed the Russian tanker MV General Skobelev, supported by a Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron.
HMS Mersey took the lead in monitoring as the Russian group approached UK waters, following earlier NATO surveillance through the Bay of Biscay.
HMS Severn joined near the Isle of Wight, coordinating with Mersey and the helicopter for detailed real-time tracking of the vessels.
This combined surface-and-air observation enabled the British forces to gather real-time data and track the group through one of the world's busiest maritime corridors.
HMS Severn oversaw the Russian vessels' exit from the Channel and entry into the North Sea before responsibility was handed over to the Royal Netherlands Navy.
Russia's shadow fleet
The Royal Navy has previously tracked Russian ships passing through the Channel during two-day operations coordinated with NATO allies.
On January 22, French naval forces detained a Russian tanker traveling from Russia. The vessel belonged to Russia's shadow fleet and was under international sanctions.
Russia's shadow fleet comprises at least 900 mostly aging tankers that operate under false flags, have questionable owners, and opaque registrations. These ships transport sanctioned Russian oil, mainly to China and India.
Such operations are not limited to Europe. The US military has also been actively intercepting shadow fleet tankers.
On January 22, the US seized the tanker Sagitta in the Caribbean Sea, which was under sanctions. At least seven similar incidents have been recorded so far.
