Daily Sabah Mar 01
Belgian forces seize suspected Russian 'shadow fleet' tanker:
Belgium's special forces, assisted by France, boarded and seized an oil tanker from the ...
dailysabah.com/business/energy/belgian-forces-seize-suspected-russian-shadow-fleet-tanker
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Belgian Forces Capture Russian Shadow Fleet TankerThe 'Ethera' tanker was seized in March 2026 in the North Sea while illegally transporting Russian oil under a false flag.
Key FactsMar 1, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: dailysabah.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: dailysabah.com
- Belgian special forces, aided by France, boarded a tanker linked to Russia's shadow fleet within Belgium's exclusive economic zone.
- The vessel flew Guinea’s flag but carried forged papers, prompting a criminal investigation by Belgian authorities.
- After interception, the tanker was escorted to Zeebrugge harbor; it was listed on EU sanctions for breaching export restrictions.
- The operation involved coordination with G-7 and NATO allies, delivering a significant blow to Russia's sanction-evasion tactics.
"This particular vessel has long been under U.S., EU, and U.K. sanctions, but nonetheless continued to illegally transport Russian oil using a false flag and forged documents."— Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a post on X, commenting on Belgium's seizure of the tanker and related sanctions.
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dailysabah.com/business/energy/belgian-forces-seize-suspected-russian-shadow-fleet-tanker
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