On 20 June 2025, Russian warship Boikiy used a fake ID while escorting shadow fleet tankers through the English Channel, raising global tensions.
#RussianWarship #Boikiy #EnglishChannel #ShadowFleet #Geopolitics #MilitaryTensions #WW3Fears #RussiaSanctions #GlobalSecurity
UK Slaps New Sanctions on Russia’s Shadow Fleet
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/54677
#WarOfAggression #Europa #Ukraine #UK #ShadowFleet #Frontline #army #update #war #Russia #WarCriminal #drones #occupiers #defenders
#перемогаYкраїни
#Ukraine #Sweden #Baltic #ShadowFleet
"IT ENDS NOW! 100 Fighter Jets ON STANDBY! Sweden Has Zero Tolerance For Aggression! | RFU News"
by RFU News — Reporting from Ukraine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQn2sZKazXY
Quote by RFUN:
"Jun 11, 2025
Here, being one of the most targeted countries in the area by Russian sabotage acts, Sweden decided to act decisively. As one of the newest NATO members and having the largest Baltic coastline, Sweden set out to tighten its grip on the Russian shadow fleet operations to eliminate any possibility of new hybrid attacks on its infrastructure.
Recently, Russian maritime activity in the Baltic Sea has become increasingly aggressive and suspicious, with a series of incidents pointing to a pattern of Russian sabotage targeting undersea infrastructure. The sabotage operations started in December 2024, when a shadow fleet oil tanker operating under questionable ownership damaged undersea data and communication cables off Finland, likely by dragging a loose anchor.
Just a month later, a Russian-linked vessel damaged a critical undersea cable between Latvia and Sweden, triggering a full-scale sabotage investigation. The pattern continued at the end of May when the shadow fleet tanker Sun was detected dangerously close to a key Poland-Sweden power cable and was forced to retreat after intervention by the Polish Navy. Subsequent Russian provocations near Estonian waters and reports of Polish forces driving away Russian vessels operating near Swedish cables underscore the escalating threat.
In response to recent provocations, Sweden is joining NATO’s regional efforts by tightening inspections of Russian shadow fleet tankers. From July 1, the Swedish Coast Guard will require insurance documentation from all vessels transiting its territorial waters or economic zone, not just those docking at ports. This enforces the EU’s April 2025 directive and reflects Sweden’s resolve to counter the risks posed by the Russian shadow fleet. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated that growing incidents in the Baltic demand preparedness, while Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer emphasized the need for increased inspections, calling the shadow fleet a threat to maritime safety.
Sweden has already been patrolling shipping lanes and monitoring these tankers, but the new rules significantly expand enforcement authority. The signal is clear, and Sweden is no longer willing to tolerate covert Russian activity in the Baltic. This move also comes amid heightened Russian rhetoric. Moscow has declared its willingness to use all means to respond to inspections and has begun deploying naval escorts for shadow fleet tankers. Following recent airspace violations over Finland and Estonia, and confrontational language from Russia’s UN ambassador comparing inspections to piracy, NATO states are preparing for further escalation.
If Russia decides to again try to chase away NATO vessels inspecting a shadow fleet ship, Sweden has nearly 100 Gripen fighter jets on rapid response standby. These jets are equipped with advanced radar, electronic warfare systems, and extended range, making them a formidable asset for controlling Baltic airspace and intercepting Russian aircraft. Additionally, Sweden’s Navy is built and optimized for the Baltic Sea’s confined and shallow waters, and includes numerous patrol ships, corvettes, and submarines. Even before Sweden's NATO membership, its forces did not shy away from acting against Russia for violating their territorial waters or airspace, making them well-prepared for any scenario.
The Russian shadow fleet remains a critical component of Moscow’s sanctions evasion strategy. Comprised of aging oil tankers operating under false flags and opaque ownership, the fleet moves Russian Urals crude oil around the world while avoiding Western scrutiny. Over 50% of this fleet transits the Baltic Sea, using the key and most developed Russian ports with the highest available capacity, such as Primorsk and Ust-Luga, before moving toward customers primarily in Asia. The Baltic is ideal due to its hard-to-police maritime corridors and legal complexity, making enforcement difficult. This same factor also allows covert Russian operations, such as laying surveillance devices or damaging underwater infrastructure under the guise of commercial shipping. The sheer volume of this traffic poses both security and environmental risks to Sweden and its neighbors.
Overall, Sweden’s decision to take a firmer line marks a critical shift in regional security. As one of NATO’s newest and most strategically located members, Sweden's participation significantly boosts the alliance’s capability to police the Baltic Sea. By enforcing new inspection rules, Sweden joins a coordinated effort already supported by Poland, Estonia, and Finland to limit Russia’s operational freedom in the region. [short by ± 200 char JdeB]
#SlavaUkraini ! #HeroyamSláva!
#Crush the #RussianTerroristState
Unless the EU takes bolder legal and maritime action to enforce its sanctions on Russian oil exports, Russia will keep profiting, and Europe’s security and credibility will continue to erode. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2025/06/02/world/russias-shadow-fleet/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #commentary #worldnews #sanctions #russia #oil #shadowfleet #eu #russiaukrainewar
“Inside the mission to stop Putin's 'ghost ships' wreaking havoc on the seas”
#russian #shadowfleet #ship grounded in #Swedish territorial waters near #Landskrona
#Meshka was on it's way to #Vysotsk / #Uuras / #Trångsund in #russian occupied #Finland
from 1st of July #Swedish #CoastGuards will be allowed to control ships insurances even if they just are passing Swedish territorial waters, this is a way to limit the #shadowfleet of #nazi #russia movements in the #BalticSea
Ships that refuses to cooperate are assumed to be part of the #sanctioned fleet.
Source: https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/sverige-skarper-kontroller-av-ryska-skuggflottan
This can cause an issue as there are waters between #Sweden and #Denmark where the territorial waters touch each other.
#shadowfleet ⚡ Is this the beginning of the end for the Russian Shadow Fleet?
🛡️ Worn Russian tankers threaten Baltic with oil spills and sabotage. Denmark considers seizures.
#Russia #Denmark #Europe #NATO
https://nyheder.tv2.dk/samfund/2025-05-29-danmark-overvejer-at-beslaglaegge-skibe-med-russisk-olie
Russia’s ‘Shadow Fleet’ Readies for Summer as Sanctioned LNG Carriers Receive Permits for Arctic Route
#WarOfAggression #Arctic #Ukraine #ArcticRoute #ShadowFleet’ #army #Sanctioned #LNG #war #Russia #WarCriminal #occupiers #defenders
#перемогаYкраїни
Russia Deploys Warships to Escort Shadow Fleet Tankers in Gulf of Finland
#Russia #Ukraine #news #war #Putin #SlavaUkraini #sanctions #shadowfleet
Europe's long battle against Russia's 'shadow fleet' is far from over.
The EU has imposed several rounds of sanctions against Russia's infamous "shadow fleet" for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The latest measures blacklisted 189 vessels, bringing the total number of ships under restrictions to almost 350.
But is there more to be done?
#EU #Russia #ShadowFleet #Shipping #Ships #Oil #Sanctions #WarInUkraine #UK #Europe
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Zelensky had to remind Trump peace talks already underway during call with EU leaders — For war-weary Europe, Trump-Putin call yet another signal to wake up — Trump doesn’t know how to deal with gangsters — US lets Ukraine down, once again — Because of Russia, my child understood fear early … and more
https://activitypub.writeworks.uk/2025/05/tuesday-may-20-2025-2/
@hanse_mina if it was my.decision, there would be a #TotalEmbargo and complete #SeaBlockade against #Russia, but sadly neither @europarl_en nor @Bundesregierung share my position.
Cuz the #ShadowFleet is a danger to #Wildlife, #Envoirment, #WorkersRights and enforcement of the #OilPriceCap against #Russia!
Sunday, May 18, 2025
How Russia’s Shaheds are getting more dangerous & what Ukraine is doing about it — Three years into full-scale war, Eurovision still hasn’t solved its Russia problem — Moscow questions Kyiv’s authority, says Ukraine’s choice of signatory key to any peace deal — Ukrainian drones strike Russian ammunition depot in occupied Crimea … and more
https://activitypub.writeworks.uk/2025/05/sunday-may-18-2025/
Saturday, May 17The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
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Russia’s war against Ukraine
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan chairs Turkiye-Russia-Ukraine Trilateral Meeting at Dolmabahce Presidential Office in Istanbul, Turkiye on May 16, 2025. (Arda Kucukkaya / Anadolu via Getty Images)
Ukraine-Russia talks in Istanbul end, Moscow demands Kyiv withdraw from 4 regions, no ceasefire agreement. Some of Russia’s demands include the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from their own territory as a condition for a ceasefire, an unnamed Ukrainian source told Sky News.
Ukraine, Russia agree to hold follow-up meeting after Istanbul peace talks. “Parties have agreed in principle to come together again,” Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said.
‘Time to increase the pressure‘ — Zelensky, European leaders speak with Trump following Istanbul peace talks. The conversation took place shortly after the conclusion of the Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul, which ended with little progress beyond an agreement on prisoner exchange.
Russia, Ukraine agree on 1,000-for-1,000 POW exchange in Istanbul, Umerov says. “We know the date, but we’re not going to say it yet,” Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said.
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Trump says he’s returning to US, expects to meet Putin ‘as soon as we can set it up.’ “I think it’s time for us to just do it,” U.S. Presidnet Donald Trump said in Abu Dhabi, adding that the meeting between the two would happen “as soon as we can set it up.”
Up to 640,000 Russian troops fighting against Ukraine, Syrskyi says. Vadym Skibitskyi, the deputy head of Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR), reported in March that Russia had deployed 620,000 soldiers to fight in Ukraine, a rise from his previous estimate of nearly 580,000 in November 2024.
Putin appoints general who led Mariupol assault as new Russian Ground Forces Commander. Under Andrey Mordvichev’s command, Russian troops carried out the destruction of civilian infrastructure and committed atrocities against both civilians and the Ukrainian military, Ukraine has said.
Explosions rock occupied Crimea as drone attack reportedly sets Russian ammo depot on fire. A fire broke out at an ammunition depot in the village of Perevalne in Russian-occupied Crimea following a series of explosions during a drone attack on the morning of May 16, the Crimean Wind Telegram channel reported, citing local residents.
Read our exclusives
Ukraine war latest: Moscow demands Kyiv withdraw from 4 regions following the talks, no ceasefire agreement
Ukrainian and Russian delegations concluded their talks in Istanbul on May 16 after speaking for less than two hours, with no agreement reached on a full, 30-day ceasefire, and Moscow demanding Kyiv withdraw completely from Ukraine’s four oblasts that President Vladimir Putin claims to have annexed.
Photo: Arif Yaman / Anadolu via Getty Images
‘Putin is laughing at Trump’ — Ukraine in disbelief as Russia makes a mockery of US-led ceasefire attempts
Russian President Vladimir Putin had rebuffed President Volodymyr Zelensky, his European allies, and the U.S., and in response, Donald Trump simply went along with it, excusing his Russian counterpart for not attending the peace talks in Istanbul that Putin himself proposed.
Photo: Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty Images
‘It’s all a farce’ — Ukrainian soldiers on Russia’s ‘smokescreen’ peace talks in Istanbul
Ukraine continues to insist on a ceasefire, supported by the U.S. and Europe, saying that a halt to active warfare must come before any real peace talks are possible. Russia has so far rejected a truce four times — on March 11, March 25, May 11 and the most recent one on May 16 in Istanbul.
Photo: Contributor / Getty Images
Who is Vladimir Medinsky? The Putin aide leading Russia’s delegation at Ukraine peace talks
Despite an invitation from Volodymyr Zelensky to meet in Istanbul, Vladimir Putin was a no-show in Turkey, sending instead an aide, Vladimir Medinsky, to head the Russian delegation in peace talks. Medinsky headed the only other direct talks between the two sides in March–April 2022.
Photo: Yasin Akgul / AFP via Getty Images
Human cost of Russia’s war
Ukraine brings back bodies of 909 fallen soldiers. The bodies of soldiers were recovered from Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts as well as from morgues in Russia.
With Ukraine’s Peaky Blinders chasing Russian soldiers near Pokrovsk
International response
‘This is turkey time’ — Trump vows sanctions on Moscow if peace talks fail, says Putin is ‘tired’ of war. “Honestly, I will (impose sanctions), if we’re not gonna make a deal,” Trump told Fox News’ Bret Baier in an interview published on May 16. “This would be crushing for Russia because they’re having a hard time now with the economy.”
‘We have to increase the pressure‘ — Von der Leyen vows new Russia sanctions after Putin skips peace talks. Ursula von der Leyen announced that the European Commission is preparing a new sanctions package, which would include sanctions on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, additional listings of vessels from Russia’s shadow fleet, a lower oil price cap, and sanctions on Russia’s financial sector.
As Russia sticks to hardline demands during peace talks, Europe frustrated with Trump’s swerves, Bloomberg reports. European officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they remain unsure of U.S. President Donald Trump’s next move and fear that his unpredictable stance could undercut momentum toward a unified Western response.
‘It was my duty to step down‘ — Former US Ambassador to Ukraine confirms resignation over Trump’s policy. Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink, who held the role since 2022, accused the Trump administration of prioritizing pressure on Ukraine, the victim of Russia’s full-scale invasion, rather than confronting the Kremlin.
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In other news
Russian economic growth slowing down, Rosstat reports. Russia’s economy is experiencing a sharp slowdown in growth, according to a report released by the governmental statistics agency Rosstat on May 16. GDP only grew by 1.4% in the first quarter of 2025 – a notable decline from 4.5% growth in the previous quarter and 5.4% in the same period last year.
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Friday, May 16, 2025
Russian fighter jet violated NATO territory after Estonia tried to detain shadow fleet tanker — Kyiv hits back as Russian Foreign Ministry insults — Ukraine shows its latest ship-killer Magura drone series to the public for the first time — Pro-Ukraine partisans sabotage railway track near Russia’s Smolensk — Slap in the face as Estonia blasts Russia’s low-level peace delegation in Istanbul … and more
https://activitypub.writeworks.uk/2025/05/friday-may-16-2025/
Thursday, May 15, 2025
From spy rings to arson — Russia’s sabotage across Europe continues unpunished — Russia likely preparing major offensive in Ukraine despite peace efforts — Zelensky’s trust rating rises to 74%, highest since 2023, poll shows — [vblog] Putin on trial? Dutch minister on EU-led tribunal … and more
https://activitypub.writeworks.uk/2025/05/thursday-may-15-2025/
So. Russia is now escorting it’s sanctioned shadow fleet tankers with fighter jets then?
Mind you, that was NATO airspace being violated.
Russian escalation knows no boundaries.
Appeasement of these psychopaths will lead only to further escalation.
https://swedenherald.com/article/russian-fighter-jet-breaches-estonian-airspace-near-gulf-of-finland
#estonia #finland #russia #military #aviation #shadowfleet #shipping #nato #nafo
EU unveils Russia sanctions targeting 'shadow' oil fleet and cyberattackers
#Russia #news #war #Putin #SlavaUkraini #europe #sanctions #politics #shadowfleet
