On the night of March 1, the Belgian Armed Forces boarded an oil tanker belonging to Russia’s “shadow fleet.” Belgium carried out the operation with the support of French military forces.
Details of the Seizure
The Russian oil tanker was near the Belgian coast at the time of interception. The operation took place around midnight on March 1. According to available information, the vessel is part of Russia’s “shadow fleet,” which Moscow uses to bypass economic sanctions – including those banning the transport of Russian oil.
“Over the past few hours, our armed forces, with the support of the French Defence, have boarded an oil tanker belonging to the Russian shadow fleet. The vessel is currently being escorted to the port of Zeebrugge, where it will be seized,” Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken wrote.
The operation is called Blue Intruder. It marks Belgium’s first interception based on intelligence that identified the vessel’s activity under a false flag.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever thanked France for supporting the operation.
“Belgium will uphold international maritime law and the security of its territorial waters,” he wrote on X.
Information About the Tanker
The oil tanker Ethera, which Belgium arrested, arrived from the English Channel and sailed under the flag of Guinea. The 180-meter vessel was built in 2008.
The outlet European Pravda reported that, according to the US Department of the Treasury, the vessel belongs to the maritime empire of the son of a high-ranking Iranian official. Authorities describe Ethera as a ship that transports crude oil, petroleum products, or mineral materials originating from or exported by Russia, while engaging in irregular and high-risk maritime operations. European ports have banned the tanker from entry.
Zelenskyy’s Reaction
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted to the tanker’s seizure. On X, he wrote that Ethera has long been under sanctions of the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom. Despite this, the vessel continued to transport Russian oil illegally, using a false flag and forged documents.
“We must be resolute. Russia operates like a mafia organization, and the response must match that reality. If they reject the rules for the sake of war, the rules must foresee a clear and firm answer,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
He added that Europe must modernize its legislation. Authorities should not only stop tankers carrying Russian oil but also confiscate them. Europe should use the seized oil to strengthen its security. The Ukrainian president also thanked France for supporting Belgium’s operation.
Earlier, The Ukrainian Review reported that Ukraine has offered the EU alternative routes for oil transit instead of the shut-down Druzhba pipeline. A Russian attack damaged the pipeline in late January.
