Russian-operated shadow tankers carrying millions of dollars in sanctioned oil are transiting the English Channel, raising warnings of a potential military confrontation in NATO waters, according to reports.
The movements came amid heightened tensions between Russia and NATO, with the Royal Navy stepping up surveillance of U.S.- and allied-sanctioned vessels in one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
Sky News U.K., the EU and Canada, it is barred from using port facilities in those jurisdictions but is still permitted "innocent passage" under maritime law.
The Kousai, sailing under a Sierra Leonean flag, left Ust-Luga on Feb. 2 and was warned by authorities to provide proof of insurance within 24 hours.
The Hyperion, also sanctioned by the U.S., switched flags after delivering oil to Venezuela, to obscure ownership and evade enforcement, according to Britain and its allies "get much tougher with these Russian ships," adding that a "militarized confrontation at sea" this year is a real possibility, in the Channel or the North Sea.
A U.K. Ministry of Defense (MoD) spokesperson said: "Deterring, disrupting and degrading the Russian shadow fleet is a priority for this government.
"Alongside our allies, we are stepping up our response to shadow vessels — and as the Secretary of State set out, we will continue to do so," the spokesperson said.
The MoD said it has requested proof of insurance from more than 600 suspected vessels since October 2024.
The U.S. has also taken a firm stance, seizing at least seven tankers linked to sanctioned oil trades since December 2025, including several in the Caribbean.