Russian-operated shadow tankers carrying millions of dollars in sanctioned oil are transiting the English Channel, raising warnings of a potential military confrontation in NATO waters, according to reports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The movements came amid heightened tensions between Russia and NATO, with the Royal Navy stepping up surveillance of U.S.- and allied-sanctioned vessels in one of the world\u2019s busiest shipping lanes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sky News reported Wednesday that as many as 800 shadow tankers had passed through the channel, and continue to bankroll Russian President Vladimir Putin\u2019s war in Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several Russia-linked oil tankers \u2014 including the Rigel, Hyperion and Kousai \u2014 have been tracked by VesselFinder and are known to be under Western sanctions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The outlet reported that three of the vessels were monitored this month as they transited loaded with sanctioned crude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rigel, an 885-foot Suezmax-class tanker sailing under a Cameroonian flag, left the Russian port of Primorsk on Feb. 2, with up to one million barrels of oil, a cargo valued at around $55 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sanctioned by the U.K., the EU and Canada, it is barred from using port facilities in those jurisdictions but is still permitted “innocent passage” under maritime law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Kousai, sailing under a Sierra Leonean flag, left Ust-Luga on Feb. 2, and was warned by authorities to provide proof of insurance within 24 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Hyperion, also sanctioned by the U.S., switched flags after delivering oil to Venezuela, to obscure ownership and evade enforcement, according to reports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Security experts warned of an increased risk of geopolitical escalation in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
]Professor Michael Clarke told Sky News that there may come a point when Britain and its allies “get much tougher with these Russian ships,” adding that a “militarized confrontation at sea” this year is a real possibility, in the Channel or the North Sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A U.K. Ministry of Defense (MoD) spokesperson said: “Deterring, disrupting and degrading the Russian shadow fleet is a priority for this government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Alongside our allies, we are stepping up our response to shadow vessels \u2014 and as the Secretary of State set out, we will continue to do so,” the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The MoD said it has requested proof of insurance from more than 600 suspected vessels since October 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The U.S. has also taken a firm stance, seizing at least seven tankers linked to sanctioned oil trades since December 2025, including several in the Caribbean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n