On June 16, 2025, the Russian Navy corvette Boyky escorted two sanctioned tankers, SELVA and SIERRA, through the English Channel, marking the first recorded instance of a Russian military vessel openly accompanying vessels of the so-called “shadow fleet.” Both tankers are under sanctions imposed by the UK and the European Union. This move signals Moscow’s readiness to use military force to protect its sanctioned oil shipments and directly challenges Western sanctions enforcement.
deliberate sanction evasion under naval cover
Marine situational awareness analyst Mark Douglas reported on LinkedIn that the Russian corvette coordinated passage with the two tankers—both heading to Russian ports for oil loading—through the strategically sensitive English Channel. AIS data confirmed the synchronized route and timing, indicating meticulous planning by the Russian Navy to bypass sanctions. This operation highlights Moscow’s escalating efforts to maintain its energy exports despite increasing international restrictions. More details
implications for Western sanctions enforcement
The tankers involved remain on the UK and EU sanctions lists, underscoring the boldness of this maneuver. The absence of immediate Western response risks sending a message of weakness, potentially emboldening Russia to continue such military-supported sanction evasion. Experts call for urgent steps, including enhanced sanction monitoring, stricter maritime controls around chokepoints like the English Channel, Gibraltar, and Baltic Sea straits, and blocking port access and insurance services for vessels involved in these operations.
calls for coordinated NATO maritime patrols
This incident exposes a new hybrid dimension to the conflict, turning commercial shipping routes into zones of military confrontation. To counter this, security analysts urge the formation of interagency NATO maritime patrols tasked with preventing Russian warships from escorting sanctioned vessels. Without firm Western pushback, Russia is likely to escalate its military involvement in shielding illegal trade, further destabilizing regional security.
The escort of shadow fleet tankers through a major European maritime corridor highlights both the challenges of enforcing sanctions and the growing risk of hybrid maritime conflict in contested waters.
Russian warship escorts tankers English Channel maritime security EU sanctions enforcement shadow fleet oil shipments NATO maritime patrols
