Latest news with #Russia-bound
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Estonia-Russia ship standoff portends a harsher tone on the Baltic Sea
MILAN — Russia's detention of a Greek-owned ship that departed from Estonia – days after Estonian forces tried to intercept a Russia-bound tanker – signals Moscow's willingness to deploy military power more overtly to protect its shadow-fleet, a vital pillar of its war economy, experts say. Russia temporarily stopped the oil tanker in its territorial waters on Sunday following the Estonian navy's attempt last week to stop the unflagged and unresponsive Jaguar tanker in its exclusive economic zone. The apparent retaliation was interpreted by analysts as a signal of Russia's readiness to defend its clandestine maritime operations by force, if needed, to deter possible interference. 'Russia is more overt in using military force to protect its shadow fleet — using a jet in what appears to be a case of reckless and unsafe flying is a clear indication that it wants no interference with the ships that are increasingly instrumental to its war economy,' Sebastian Bruns, a senior researcher at the Kiel, Germany-based Institute for Security Policy at Kiel University (ISPK). While it was the first time Russian officials held a ship in the region, experts say that the incident is part of a wider pattern of behavior toward the Baltic state. 'It doesn't dramatically differ from the broader trends in Russian attitudes towards Estonia — it only reflects the multifaceted nature of Russian hybrid warfare combining military force, plausible deniability and information warfare,' Ivan Klyszcz, a research fellow at the Estonia-based International Centre for Defence and Security said. The episode began on May 13, when the Jaguar transited through Estonian waters. 'The Navy started calling out to identify the status of the ship and verify its flag – the intention was to direct it to anchorage to check it and the insurance,' the chief of staff of the Estonian Defense Forces' Headquarters ,Maj. Gen. Vahur Karus, said during a national news program, as quoted by Estonian broadcaster ERR. The vessel, suspected to be part of Russia's shadow fleet, had previously sailed under the Gabonese flag until this right was removed three days before it was sanctioned by the U.K. 'It was destined for the Russian Federation,' Maj. Gen. Karus said. According to the Estonian minister of foreign affairs, Margus Tsahkna, the Estonian navy made an initial, unsuccessful attempt to stop the tanker. After the vessel refused to follow orders to alter its course, rather than heading towards Russian waters escorted by Estonian ships, a Russian Sukhoi Su-35 jet approach, flying in Estonian airspace for less than a minute. The Russian warplane was sent as a protective measure to prevent the Jaguar from being sized, Margarita Simonyan, head of the Russian state-owned outlet RT said on X. Such hectic situations in the Baltic Sea have intensified in recent months, with NATO launching its Baltic Sentry patrol mission in January after a series of sabotage incidents. Boarding and inspecting suspicious vessels has proven to be an increasingly complex endeavor, largely because of the different laws governing national versus international waters. Bruns noted that the May 13 incident presents wider strategic implications, as Europeans look for ways to strike a balance between maritime regulations while carrying out national and allied defense. 'What do Western navies and coast guards do when in the future cargo ships of the shadow fleet will be 'closely protected' by Russian warships? These are tough questions to ask,' he said. International law grants a country the right to board and inspect foreign vessels in their EZZ to verify compliance with its regulations. 'I would caution Estonia will be cautious with the kind of 'escalation' had they been more forceful – they too are walking a fine line,' Bruns said. Russia released the Greek tanker Green Admire on May 20, which continued its voyage to Rotterdam, according to ERR.
Metro
15-05-2025
- Metro
Russia and Nato minutes from international incident over Baltic Sea tanker
Gergana Krasteva Published May 15, 2025 9:50am Updated May 15, 2025 10:14am Link is copied Comments War now feels dangerously close on Nato's eastern flank after a Russian fighter jet tore into Estonia's airspace. It was a brief violation – lasting for about a minute – but it was enough to trigger an emergency alarm in the Baltic Sea. It happened after the Estonian Navy said it attempted to detain a Russia-bound oil tanker, while it was navigating in international waters. The vessel, Jaguar, was sanctioned by Britain last Friday, amid accusations it is one of about 100 in Russia's 'shadow fleet' – deployed by the Kremlin to avoid international sanctions (Picture: Russian media) The tanker was near Naissaar Island, off Tallinn, when the Estonian Navy communicated with it by radio at 3.30pm UK time on Tuesday. Estonian authorities deployed an AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter, an M28 Skytruck aircraft, and the EML Raju patrol boat to intercept it. They demanded that Jaguar's crew change course, but they refused to comply. It was then that Russian forces scrambled a Su-35 fighter plane to provide cover for the tanker. (Picture: Royal Navy) Public broadcaster ERR reported on Wednesday that the Russian aircraft's transponders had been switched off and no flight plan had been filed. Estonian Navy commander Ivo Vark said that forces 'had an obligation to verify the vessel's documents and legal status as it was sailing 'without a nationality'. He added: The vessel denied cooperation and continued its journey toward Russia (Picture: Russian media) 'Given the vessel's lack of nationality, the use of force, including boarding the vessel, was deemed unnecessary.' An Estonian patrol then escorted the Jaguar until it eventually reached Russian waters, Vark added (Picture: Russian media) Footage filmed from a bridge of a tanker whose IMO identification number matches that of the Jaguar shows a navy patrol boat, a helicopter and a patrol aircraft hovering nearby. A voice on a radio is heard in the background: 'This is Estonian warship … follow my instructions, alter your course to 105 immediately.' In Russian, a voice says off-camera, is heard saying: 'We are met by helicopters, they demand we go on anchor' (Picture: Russian media) A military jet, which Estonia does not operate, is also glimpsed flying nearby. Margus Tsahkna, Estonian foreign minister, stressed this is a 'very serious and regrettable incident, which is completely unacceptable' (Picture: Global Images Ukraine via Getty) He said on X: 'Yesterday another incident with Russia's shadow fleet in the Gulf of Finland proved that we must act. With the info op that followed Russia has clearly tied itself to the shadow fleet – a threat that must face tougher, faster sanctions' (Picture: Russian media)
TimesLIVE
15-05-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Estonian navy 'tried to detain one of Russian shadow fleet' in Baltic Sea
The Estonian Navy said it attempted on Tuesday to detain a Russia-bound oil tanker under sanction by Britain, saying it sailed illegally without a flag — but did not board it when it refused to co-operate, instead escorting it to Russian waters. The vessel, Jaguar, which Britain added to its sanctions list last Friday, is one of about 100 in Russia's 'shadow fleet', a term Western countries use for ships they accuse Moscow of deploying to avoid international sanctions. They are typically not regulated or insured by conventional Western organisations. The ship was near Naissaar Island, off Tallinn, when the Estonian Navy communicated with it by radio at 3.30pm GMT on Tuesday, Commander Ivo Vark told Reuters in an email message. As it was sailing 'without a nationality', Estonia 'had an obligation to verify the vessel's documents and legal status', Vark said on Wednesday. 'The vessel denied co-operation and continued its journey towards Russia ... given the vessel's lack of nationality, the use of force, including boarding the vessel, was deemed unnecessary.'
Straits Times
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Estonia says Russia sent military jet after bid to detain 'shadow fleet' tanker
Estonia says Russia sent military jet after bid to detain 'shadow fleet' tanker TALLINN - Estonia's foreign minister said on Thursday Russia sent a military jet as his country's navy tried to detain a Russia-bound oil tanker under sanction by Britain, accusing it of sailing illegally without a flag. After the vessel, Jaguar, placed on Britain's sanctions list last Friday, refused to cooperate with an attempt to board it, the Estonian Navy said it was escorted to Russian waters. "The Russian Federation sent a fighter jet to check the situation, and this fighter jet violated NATO territory for close to one minute," Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna told reporters in the Turkish city of Antalya. "We need to understand that Russia has officially tried and connected itself to the Russian 'shadow fleet'," he said, speaking ahead of a meeting of NATO foreign ministers. "(The) Russian Federation is ready to protect the 'shadow fleet'... The situation is really serious". The Jaguar is one of more than 100 ships in Russia's "shadow fleet", a term Western countries use for ships they accuse Moscow of deploying to avoid international sanctions, typically unregulated and uninsured by regular Western organisations. Military jets from a NATO policing mission based in the Baltic states took off to inspect the Russian vessel, said the minister, who earlier called on X for Russia to "face tougher, faster sanctions" in response. The Russian foreign ministry did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Britain has said its sanctions restricting or prohibiting movement and access of the 'shadow fleet' to some of its ports will constrain Russian President Vladimir Putin's war effort. "FOLLOW MY INSTRUCTIONS" The ship was near Naissaar Island, off Tallinn, when the Estonian Navy communicated with it by radio at 1530 GMT on Tuesday, Commander Ivo Vark told Reuters in an email message. As it was sailing "without a nationality", Estonia "had an obligation to verify the vessel's documents and legal status", Vark said on Wednesday. "The vessel denied cooperation and continued its journey toward Russia ... given the vessel's lack of nationality, the use of force, including boarding the vessel, was deemed unnecessary." An Estonian patrol escorted the Jaguar until it reached Russian waters, Vark added. The Estonian defence ministry declined to comment. On Thursday, the Jaguar was anchored near the Russian port of Primorsk, Marine Traffic data showed. It was listed there under the flag of the central African nation of Gabon. Vark was responding to a Reuters request for comment on a recording on X purporting to show the boarding attempt, but which could not be independently verified. Filmed from a bridge of a tanker whose IMO identification number matches that of the Jaguar, the video shows a navy patrol boat, a helicopter and a patrol aircraft hovering nearby. "This is Estonian warship ... follow my instructions, alter your course to 105 immediately," says a voice on the radio. In Russian, a voice says off-camera, "We are met by helicopters, they demand we go on anchor." A military jet, which Estonia does not operate, is also glimpsed flying nearby. Vark did not reply to a query if the incident was connected to Tuesday's alleged breach of Estonian airspace by a Russian Su-35 military jet that drew a protest from Estonia. On X, Margarita Simonyan, head of Russia's state media outlet RT, who posted the video, said the jet was a Russian Su-35, sent to prevent the vessel's seizure. In an incident on April 11, Estonia detained and boarded a Russia-bound oil tanker, Kiwala, accusing it of sailing without a valid country flag. The tanker cooperated, and was released two weeks later. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Estonia says Russia sent military jet after bid to detain 'shadow fleet' tanker
TALLINN (Reuters) -Estonia's foreign minister said on Thursday Russia sent a military jet as his country's navy tried to detain a Russia-bound oil tanker under sanction by Britain, accusing it of sailing illegally without a flag. After the vessel, Jaguar, placed on Britain's sanctions list last Friday, refused to cooperate with an attempt to board it, the Estonian Navy said it was escorted to Russian waters. "The Russian Federation sent a fighter jet to check the situation, and this fighter jet violated NATO territory for close to one minute," Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna told reporters in the Turkish city of Antalya. "We need to understand that Russia has officially tried and connected itself to the Russian 'shadow fleet'," he said, speaking ahead of a meeting of NATO foreign ministers. "(The) Russian Federation is ready to protect the 'shadow fleet'... The situation is really serious". The Jaguar is one of more than 100 ships in Russia's "shadow fleet", a term Western countries use for ships they accuse Moscow of deploying to avoid international sanctions, typically unregulated and uninsured by regular Western organisations. Military jets from a NATO policing mission based in the Baltic states took off to inspect the Russian vessel, said the minister, who earlier called on X for Russia to "face tougher, faster sanctions" in response. The Russian foreign ministry did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Britain has said its sanctions restricting or prohibiting movement and access of the 'shadow fleet' to some of its ports will constrain Russian President Vladimir Putin's war effort. "FOLLOW MY INSTRUCTIONS" The ship was near Naissaar Island, off Tallinn, when the Estonian Navy communicated with it by radio at 1530 GMT on Tuesday, Commander Ivo Vark told Reuters in an email message. As it was sailing "without a nationality", Estonia "had an obligation to verify the vessel's documents and legal status", Vark said on Wednesday. "The vessel denied cooperation and continued its journey toward Russia ... given the vessel's lack of nationality, the use of force, including boarding the vessel, was deemed unnecessary." An Estonian patrol escorted the Jaguar until it reached Russian waters, Vark added. The Estonian defence ministry declined to comment. On Thursday, the Jaguar was anchored near the Russian port of Primorsk, Marine Traffic data showed. It was listed there under the flag of the central African nation of Gabon. Vark was responding to a Reuters request for comment on a recording on X purporting to show the boarding attempt, but which could not be independently verified. Filmed from a bridge of a tanker whose IMO identification number matches that of the Jaguar, the video shows a navy patrol boat, a helicopter and a patrol aircraft hovering nearby. "This is Estonian warship ... follow my instructions, alter your course to 105 immediately," says a voice on the radio. In Russian, a voice says off-camera, "We are met by helicopters, they demand we go on anchor." A military jet, which Estonia does not operate, is also glimpsed flying nearby. Vark did not reply to a query if the incident was connected to Tuesday's alleged breach of Estonian airspace by a Russian Su-35 military jet that drew a protest from Estonia. On X, Margarita Simonyan, head of Russia's state media outlet RT, who posted the video, said the jet was a Russian Su-35, sent to prevent the vessel's seizure. In an incident on April 11, Estonia detained and boarded a Russia-bound oil tanker, Kiwala, accusing it of sailing without a valid country flag. The tanker cooperated, and was released two weeks later. (Additional Reporting by Sabine Siebold in Antalya and Gwladys Fouche in Oslo; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
