Belgium seizes Russian 'shadow fleet' tankerProsecutors said that the 'Ethera' flew under the flag of GuineaBRUSSELS (BELGIUM) - Belgium's special forces boarded and seized an oil tanker from the "shadow fleet" Russia uses to circumvent Western sanctions over the war in Ukraine, in an overnight operation announced Sunday. The Belgian government said the "vessel from Russia's shadow fleet" was intercepted in the North Sea, with aerial support from French military helicopters. "We urge all partners to follow this example, counter Russia's shadow fleet resolutely through sanctions and concrete action, and advance peace through strength," he said. In February, it was revealed that two employees of a Russian private security company were aboard another suspected Russian "shadow fleet" tanker seized by France in September. French forces boarded another suspected Russian tanker, the Grinch, in January.

Source: Bangkok Post March 01, 2026 12:50 UTC