Russia accuses UK of plotting 'false flag' to sink its ships
The SVR said that the attacks would be designed to look like accidents, causing significant environmental damage and allowing Britain and the rest of NATO to justify further actions against them. The Telegraph reported it claimed: 'British intelligence services are planning to use NATO allies to launch a mass raid on the "shadow fleet"; for this purpose, an ecological catastrophe in international waters is being prepared.'
But experts said the report's publication raised concerns that Russia is preparing its own false flag operation, a scheme carried out by the Kremlin but designed to look like it has British origins. Dr Sidharth Kaushal, a research fellow at RUSI, told the newspaper: 'One interpretation might be that the Russians are insuring themselves against something breaking down or sinking, in a way that creates a pretext for restricting [their movement across the ocean].' So far at least six tankers have suffered mysterious explosions since the start of the year.
The suspicion has largely fallen on Ukraine, as all of the tankers were docked in Russian ports. Some of them were carrying Russian oil. It comes after the National Crime Agency (NCA) warned UK financial firms that Russian oil trading companies are utilising a complex network of companies with deliberately obscure ownership structures in order to evade sanctions. Britain has banned the maritime transportation of Russian oil as its energy exports are funding the war in Ukraine.
In 2024, 30 per cent of Russia's federal budget came from oil and gas sales. But Russian oil trading companies are managing to circumvent sanctions to get Western cash which is continuing to fund the Russian state, investigators believe.
One of the companies sanctioned last year used over 100 Shadow Fleet oil tankers, vessels which are usually over 15 years old which secretly carry Russian oil. To avoid detection, flags are regularly changed and the ship's automatic identification system is turned off to avoid its movements being tracked, while the oil is often transferred from one ship to another to obscure its origin before the shipment reaches its destination.
Over 400 Shadow Fleet vessels have so far been sanctioned by the UK, EU, US and Canada. An NCA spokesman said: 'Today, the National Crime Agency has issued an alert to financial institutions and other members of the UK regulated sector in relation to the sale of Russian oil and gas through the use of Shadow Fleet vessels and front companies.'
'Sanctions imposed on Russia as a result of its invasion of Ukraine have had a significant impact on its ability to sell oil and gas it produces. However, in an effort to circumvent these controls, Russian oil trading companies are utilising a complex network of companies with deliberately obscure ownership structures to evade sanctions whilst accessing Western finance and professional services in order to continue to fund the Russian state.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
17 minutes ago
- Telegraph
A long-term plan is needed to get the country out of its financial hole
SIR – Whether by raising income tax rates, a wealth tax or through less overt measures, the Government will try to extract more money from the people that it serves ('Reeves facing £50bn black hole as tax pressure mounts ', report, August 6). However, such measures risk being self-defeating. Those who are unable or unwilling to leave the country will bear the brunt of the tax rises. That includes standard and higher-rate taxpayers. Every pound the Government extracts from their bank accounts is a pound that cannot be spent on businesses that provide goods and services. Thus, businesses will take another hit which, in turn, will reduce their tax payments. Since the failure of the Truss administration, there has been no long-term plan to get the country out of its financial hole. Eventually, there will have to be one and it will likely involve curbing the insatiable appetite of government to control and spend. When such a plan sees the light of day we may be surprised at the boost it gives to confidence and investment. David Porter Plymouth, Devon SIR – Labour dug itself a financial hole when it pledged not to increase National Insurance (NI), VAT or income tax rates. Instead of imposing VAT on private schools and possibly even on private health, a simple 1 or 2 per cent rise on NI and/or the basic rate of income tax would have solved the Chancellor's problems. Now she is having to cast her net wider – and creating more problems as a result. John Tilsiter Radlett, Hertfordshire SIR – Taxing jobs and taxing capital is not going to result in economic growth. Is it too much to expect a former Bank of England economist to grasp this? Patrick Loxdale Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SIR – There is a limit to which any economy can be taxed. The UK is at that limit. The British public understands this. It is plain that public sector expenditure must be cut to balance the books. Given the Government throws billions around like confetti – on the Chagos Islands, the immigration fiasco, welfare, public sector pay rises, excessive numbers of civil servants – there is much low-hanging fruit. The economy is being badly managed as never before. Enough is enough. Please can we have some economic sanity. Stuart Moore Bramham, West Yorkshire SIR – Having continually criticised the Conservatives for the last 12 months for creating a £22bn black hole in the public finances, I trust Labour will now be constantly criticising itself for doubling the deficit. Paul Webster Dyserth, Denbighshire
The Sun
17 minutes ago
- The Sun
Heartbroken family of boy, 2, murdered by grandparents calling for ‘Ethan's Law' to give child services extra powers
THE family of a boy of two murdered by his grandparents are calling for a change in the law. Ethan Ives-Griffiths was found injured at the home of his mum's parents but social workers were turned away. Now relatives on the paternal side have set up a petition for 'Ethan's Law' — giving child services extra powers to bring in police if denied entry. Mold crown court was told Michael Ives, 47, and Kerry Ives, 46, subjected Ethan to 'casual brutality' in Flintshire, North Wales. They were convicted after a jury heard he was hit or shaken. Ethan's mother Shannon Ives, 28, had been living with them and was convicted of causing or allowing his death. They will be sentenced in October. Ethan's paternal family set up a petition calling for an update in child protection services. The petition also calls for checks to be carried out every five to seven days as opposed to the current 10-days. It states: "Let us come together to push for these crucial reforms in child protection services. "By signing this petition, you join us in advocating for the safety and security of all children like Ethan, ensuring that no child suffers in silence. So far, the petition for 'Ethan's Law' has over 400 signatures. Grandparents, 46 & 47, found GUILTY of murdering boy, 2, after horrific 'targeted' abuse and 'casual cruelty' 1
The Sun
17 minutes ago
- The Sun
Future of chain Claire's on UK high streets uncertain after US parent firm files for bankruptcy
FASHION accessories chain Claire's is facing an uncertain future on UK high streets, after its US parent firm filed for bankruptcy. It is the second time the ear-piercing favourite has declared itself bust, after previously filing for bankruptcy in 2018. 1 Its finances are now under pressure from weak consumer demand and supply chain uncertainty. The filings showed that the parent business reported liabilities of up to $10billion (£7billion) and owed between 25,000 and 50,000 creditors. Claire's operates 2,750 stores worldwide, including 280 in the UK. While British stores remain unaffected for now, the UK arm has lost £25million over the past three years and is at risk of collapsing into administration later this month. It has been working with advisers to explore a sale or restructuring. However, potential buyers, such as Hilco Capital, are understood to have walked away. Retail experts say Claire's is struggling to stay relevant. Julie Palmer, from Begbies Traynor, said: 'Claire's low-price offering is clearly not strong enough to win over its core customers — teens and young adults — as they now have access to a vast array of affordable and convenient products online through platforms like Amazon and Temu.' Claire's boss Chris Cramer said: 'We remain in active discussions with potential strategic and financial partners and are committed to completing our review of strategic alternatives.' Nostalgic 90's retailer files for bankruptcy after chain misses rent payments for June and July 'CORE BLIMEY! MINING giant Glenciore has decided to stick with its London stock listing, scrapping plans to shift to New York, in a win for the City. It has been listed on the FTSE since 2011, when it was valued at £37billion — at the time the exchange's largest float. However, the Swiss-based firm has announced plans to slash £753million in costs by 2026, including job cuts across its 150,000-strong workforce. METRO BANK ON THE UP METRO BANK has bounced back, posting a £43.1million pre-tax profit for the first half of 2025 — up from a £33.5million loss reported in the same period last year. The lender doubled new corporate and small business loans to £1billion, and cut 8 per cent from its costs by axing a third of its workforce and reducing branch hours. Boss Daniel Frumkin said: 'Our strong performance reflects the decisive actions we have taken.' Elsewhere, Sabadell shareholders have approved the £2.65billion sale of TSB to Santander.
