A mysterious Russian vessel, dubbed a ‘zombie’ ship, has been sighted navigating the English Channel shortly after British and US authorities intercepted a ship suspected of violating sanctions. The tanker, named Tavian, is currently traversing approximately 20 miles north of Guernsey en route to Finland, as per tracking data. Tavian is believed to be linked to Vladimir Putin’s ‘shadow fleet’ and utilized to circumvent restrictions on Russian oil trade, resulting in its inclusion on the US sanctions list in 2024.
In recent weeks, the vessel was monitored passing through the Baltic Sea near the German coastline, marking the first instance of a Russian vessel attempting such a route. The UK has expressed full support for the US operation, with British officials emphasizing the importance of collaborating with international partners to combat Russian activities aimed at evading sanctions and funding conflicts, particularly in Ukraine.
During the operation, US special operations aircraft made a stop at Wick John O’Groats airport in Scotland before proceeding further north. British Defense Secretary John Healey confirmed that British personnel were not directly involved in the boarding of the ship. The vessel, previously known as Bella 1 and connected to Venezuela, was seized while traveling through the waters between Iceland and Scotland. The US military’s European Command extended gratitude to the UK for its unwavering cooperation in the operation.
Douglas Alexander, a member of Keir Starmer’s cabinet, highlighted the significance of preventing illicit funding channels that support Russia’s military efforts. He stressed the need for the UK to collaborate with allies to counter ongoing attempts by Russia to evade sanctions. Efforts are underway to disrupt the financial backing of Putin’s military operations, emphasizing the shared responsibility among nations to combat unlawful activities that fuel conflicts globally.