Belgium’s special forces have successfully intercepted and seized an oil tanker linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet,” which has been utilized to navigate around Western sanctions imposed due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The operation took place overnight in the North Sea and involved aerial support from military helicopters provided by France.
The Belgian government announced that the tanker, identified as the “Ethera,” was in transit back to Russia when it was boarded. Following the interception, the vessel was escorted to the port of Zeebrugge. The Belgian Defense Minister, Theo Francken, confirmed that the operation occurred within Belgium’s exclusive economic zone.
According to prosecutors, the vessel was flagged under Guinea. However, inspections conducted on board indicated that it was operating under a false flag, prompting Belgian authorities to initiate a criminal investigation. A spokesperson for the federal prosecutor’s office asserted that ships sailing under false flags typically fail to adhere to various international regulations.
French President Emmanuel Macron celebrated the joint effort in a post on social media, describing the operation as a “major blow” to the operations of Russia’s shadow fleet. He emphasized the collaborative commitment of European nations to eliminate funding sources for Russia’s military actions.
The Belgian Defense Ministry stated that the seized tanker is listed under European Union sanctions, which have targeted hundreds of vessels in an effort to diminish Moscow’s financial resources for waging war. Belgium’s Foreign Minister, Maxime Prevot, also took to social media to highlight the importance of enforcing these sanctions, stating, “Sanctions only matter if they are enforced. Today, we enforced them.”
The operation was executed in collaboration with G7 nations and regional partners from Nordic and Baltic states. The US ambassador to Belgium expressed support, praising the Belgian forces’ efforts to disrupt illicit activities.
Aerial support from two NH90 helicopters from France aided in the boarding of the ship. Macron shared footage online showing Belgian forces utilizing helicopters to rappel onto the vessel, showcasing the decisive action taken during the operation.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever commended his country’s armed forces for their professionalism and thanked France for its crucial support. Meanwhile, the Russian embassy in Belgium stated that it had not received official notification regarding the tanker’s seizure or information about the nationality of the crew aboard the vessel.
The embassy announced it would take measures to verify whether Russian citizens were on board and to protect their legal rights if confirmed.
Sanctions activated to curb Moscow’s revenue from oil exports have effectively barred many tankers transporting Russian oil from using Western insurance and shipping systems. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised Belgium’s decisive action against what he termed “Moscow’s floating purse,” reiterating appreciation for France’s role in the undertaking.
He highlighted that the vessel continues to defy international sanctions while attempting to operate with false documentation. Previous incidents involving vessels associated with the Russian shadow fleet have raised concerns, including the seizure of another tanker by French forces, which led to its release after the owner paid a hefty fine, highlighting ongoing legal challenges in such operations.
Experts, such as Max Meizlish from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, noted that while the will exists among European nations to take action against these ships, the legal frameworks often limit the effectiveness of such operations. He urged European governments to address these legal gaps to prevent interdictions from serving only as temporary delays for the shadow fleet.
