A Russian oil tanker sanctioned by the United States is sailing north of the islands a day after a similar vessel was seized by US forces in European waters.
The tanker, Tavian, was sanctioned in 2024 for allegedly helping distribute illicit Russian oil and is currently (2.30pm on Thursday 8th January) about 25 miles north of Guernsey en route to Finland.
Its passage follows the interception of the Marinera, a Russian-flagged ship seized by the US Coast Guard and special forces after a two-week operation west of the UK. Britain assisted in the operation, with RAF aircraft tracking the vessel across the North Atlantic.
Addressing the UK House of Commons, Defence Secretary John Healey said the seizure formed part of “global efforts” to crack down on sanctions evasion. Russia’s foreign ministry condemned the UK’s role, accusing Washington of setting a “dangerous and irresponsible example” and warning the incident could escalate military and political tensions while lowering the threshold for force against civilian shipping.
The US says the Marinera is among a so-called 'shadow fleet' trading illegal oil from Russia and Iran, and several other tankers have been seized in recent days. Maritime analysts estimate the US has blacklisted 744 active tankers and the UK 549, with 235 sanctioned by both countries, though the Tavian is not among those jointly listed.
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