UK officials expect Russia to retaliate for seizure of shadow fleet oil tanker
No formal warning issued to captains or ship owners, but industry body says they are exercising greater vigilance
TL;DR
- British officials believe Russia may retaliate for the seizure of the oil tanker Smyrtos.
- The vessel was carrying Russian crude oil worth $40 million and was headed to India.
- UK ship owners are advised to exercise greater vigilance due to potential Russian tit-for-tat actions.
- The Smyrtos was seized on orders from the British prime minister for allegedly breaching UK sanctions on Russia.
- An incident involving a Russian frigate firing warning shots near a British yacht is seen as demonstrating heightened Russian nervousness, though not officially considered retaliation.
- The UK aims to pressure Moscow's shadow fleet, which is crucial for its oil exports and funding the war in Ukraine.
- The Smyrtos was captured because it was allegedly falsely registered under the flag of Cameroon, making it legally stateless.