Special forces seize oil vessel accused of using false flag to evade sanctions as France provides aerial support and criminal probe begins.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Belgian special forces seized a Russian-linked oil tanker in the North Sea during an overnight maritime operation, intercepting what officials described as part of Moscow’s so-called “shadow fleet” used to bypass Western sanctions tied to the war in Ukraine.
The Belgian government announced Sunday that the vessel was intercepted within Belgium’s exclusive economic zone and escorted to the port of Zeebrugge. Defence Minister Theo Francken said the tanker was boarded with assistance from French military helicopters providing air support.
Prosecutors identified the ship as the “Ethera,” stating it was believed to be returning to Russia at the time of the interception. Authorities said the vessel was flying under the flag of Guinea, but an onboard inspection determined it was allegedly operating under a false flag.
“Ship documents were found that are suspected of being false,” the Belgian federal prosecutor’s office said in a statement, confirming that a criminal investigation has been opened.
“If a ship sails under a false flag, this means that it does not comply with several international regulations,” prosecutors added.
The captain of the vessel, identified as a Russian national, is being questioned by investigators, according to a spokeswoman for the prosecutor’s office.
French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that French naval forces supported the operation with two NH90 helicopters, describing the seizure as a “major blow” to Russia’s shadow fleet. Video footage shared by Macron showed Belgian forces descending from helicopters to board the tanker.
“I congratulate our armed forces on their professional and decisive conduct during tonight’s successful operation, and thank our French partners for providing essential support,” Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever wrote on social media.
Belgium’s foreign minister and deputy prime minister, Maxime Prevot, said the tanker was on the European Union’s sanctions list.
“Sanctions only matter if they are enforced. Today, we enforced them,” Prevot said.
The operation was conducted in coordination with Belgium’s G7, Nordic and Baltic partners, alongside France, officials said.
Russia’s embassy in Belgium stated it had not received official notification of the detention and was seeking to determine whether Russian citizens were among the crew.
“The embassy is currently taking the necessary steps to determine whether there are Russian citizens on board and to ensure their legal rights if confirmed,” it said in a Telegram post.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Western sanctions have targeted Moscow’s oil revenues, cutting off access to Western insurance and shipping services for many tankers carrying Russian crude. In response, Russia has relied on a fleet of aging vessels with opaque ownership structures to continue exports.
Some European officials and analysts have raised concerns that certain vessels within the shadow fleet may also be involved in sabotage or intelligence-gathering activities as part of what they describe as hybrid warfare against Western nations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed Belgium’s action, calling it “strong action against Moscow’s floating purse,” and thanked France for its support.
“This particular vessel has long been under US, EU, and UK sanctions, but nonetheless continued to illegally transport Russian oil using a false flag and forged documents,” Zelensky wrote on X.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga described the operation as “such resolute and justified action” that was necessary to limit Russia’s ability to finance its war.
“We urge all partners to follow this example, counter Russia’s shadow fleet resolutely through sanctions and concrete action, and advance peace through strength,” Sybiga said.
The seizure follows earlier European interventions. In February, it was disclosed that two employees of a Russian private security firm were aboard another suspected shadow fleet tanker detained by France in September. French forces also boarded another vessel suspected of sanctions evasion, the Grinch, in January.
Belgian authorities have not yet indicated when a final determination will be made regarding the Ethera or what additional charges may result from the ongoing investigation.
Original article
Comments