Belgian and French special services conducted a coordinated overnight operation in the North Sea, seizing the tanker 'Ethera', which belongs to the so-called Russian shadow fleet. The action, involving a helicopter assault, was met with an enthusiastic reaction from Kyiv and threats of retaliation from Moscow. Simultaneously, in the port of Dunkirk, Greenpeace activists blocked a ship transporting Russian uranium, raising the issue of circumventing energy sanctions.

Seizure of the tanker Ethera

Belgian and French services detained a Russian shadow fleet vessel during a night assault in the North Sea.

Uranium blockade in Dunkirk

Greenpeace halted the unloading of Russian nuclear fuel, prompting police intervention and arrests.

Russian threats of retaliation

Moscow accuses Western countries of piracy and announces a response to the detention of its ships.

An unprecedented maritime operation took place in the North Sea, resulting in Belgian and French forces seizing the vessel 'Ethera'. The ship is identified as an element of the shadow fleet, used by the Kremlin to circumvent international restrictions. According to media reports, French commandos rappelled onto the deck from helicopters, supporting Belgian patrol units. Russia officially protested these actions, claiming it was not informed of the reasons for the vessel's detention and labeled the incident as 'piracy'. Since the introduction of the price cap on Russian oil in 2022, Moscow has amassed hundreds of ships registered in exotic jurisdictions to continue trading commodities despite EU and G7 sanctions. Concurrently, a confrontation occurred in Dunkirk between environmentalists and authorities. Activists from the Greenpeace organization blocked the unloading of uranium originating from Russia, arguing that trade in nuclear fuel remains a legal loophole through which Paris indirectly finances war efforts. French police intervened, detaining four protest participants. This event sheds light on the difficult energy dependencies of Western Europe, which, despite declarations of diversification, still relies on Russian supplies in the civilian nuclear energy sector. „Це важливий крок до послаблення російської військової машини та усунення тіньового флоту з європейських вод.” (This is an important step towards weakening the Russian war machine and removing the shadow fleet from European waters.) — Volodymyr Zelenskyy The President of Ukraine praised the actions of EU law enforcement agencies, calling them a signal of determination in enforcing the embargo. In turn, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced an 'adequate response' to 'unlawful acts targeting Russian maritime property'. Experts indicate that the seizure of the 'Ethera' may mark the beginning of a new EU strategy involving the physical removal of problematic vessels from global trade.

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