UK weighs using oil seized from detained tankers to support Ukraine — The Times

London is exploring the idea of financing the Ukrainian Armed Forces with oil seized from tankers belonging to Russia's shadow fleet.

Two oil tankers that could be considered potential targets for seizure are scheduled to pass through the English Channel today, January 14.

Officials estimate that such a move would simultaneously hit the Russian budget, more than a third of which is spent on the war and security forces, and transfer funds from the sale of sanctioned oil to Ukraine.

At the same time, it is still unclear how realistic this plan is. Earlier, The Times wrote that British special forces are preparing to seize ships belonging to Russia's shadow fleet.

This is similar to US operations in which the tanker Bella1, which fled Venezuela, was detained, later renamed Marinera and raised the Russian flag, as well as four other ships that were under sanctions.

Elite military units are practicing helicopter landings after the British government determined the legal basis for such operations. Two tankers, Spring Fortune and Range Vale, which are under British sanctions, are expected to enter the English Channel at midday today.

Both ships are carrying Russian oil and sailing under the false flags of Cameroon and Zimbabwe, respectively, but they are not actually registered in the ship registries of those countries.

In addition, they have repeatedly changed their names and jurisdictions. This makes them potential targets for action by British intelligence services under sanctions and anti-money laundering legislation.

Background

The US launched a large-scale operation to intercept tankers attempting to transport oil from Venezuela in circumvention of sanctions. To break through, ships change their names and flags right on the high seas.

On January 7, the US detained the Russian vessel Bella 1 (renamed Marinera) in the North Atlantic for violating sanctions. The tanker was tracked by the USCGC Munro coast guard cutter based on a US federal court order. The US Department of Justice is preparing criminal charges against the crew of Bella 1.

Another vessel of the Russian shadow fleet, the tanker Sophia, was also seized in the Caribbean Sea.

At the same time, President Donald Trump left unanswered the question of whether Vladimir Putin had called him after the Marinera was seized by the US military.