Spy war at sea? Moscow alleges UK planning shadow fleet strikes; Nato named
Russia's foreign intelligence service alleges United Kingdom of planning attacks on its 'shadow fleet' oil tankers. A report published by The Telegraph cites claims from Moscow's foreign intelligence service (SVR), alleging that British intelligence is plotting to target Russian ships which are used by Russia to trade oil.
The SVR report stated, '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.'
The report accuses British intelligence of planning to stage the attacks in a manner that mimics accidental disasters, with the goal of triggering environmental catastrophes and using the fallout to justify further NATO-led actions against Russia.
However, experts suggest otherwise that Russia might be laying the groundwork for a 'false flag' operation of its own. The strategy could allow Kremlin to carry out attacks on its own fleet and attribute them to the UK or its NATO partners.
Dr Sidharth Kaushal, a research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), told The Telegraph: '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].'
Analysts suggest that by framing the West for potential attacks, Russia may be preparing a casus belli — a justification for expanding naval or military operations, or for sowing discord within the NATO alliance.
At least six tankers have reportedly suffered unexplained explosions since the beginning of the year, with all incidents occurring in Russian ports. Some of the affected vessels were transporting Russian oil. While suspicion has largely fallen on Ukraine, the pattern of the attacks has also raised the possibility of internal sabotage.
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