The Daily Telegraph: Russian "shadow fleet" tanker sails through English Channel the day after Starmer issues threat
The tanker, named Casting Avenue, entered the English Channel just hours after UK Prime Minister Starmer threatened to use military forces to seize such vessels.
Departing from the Russian port of Ust-Luga early Thursday morning, the tanker moved from the North Sea into the English Channel, approximately 20 nautical miles off the southern coast of England at the time.
According to its schedule, it passed near Portsmouth, the UK Royal Navy’s main base, during the night of Thursday and exited the channel early Friday morning.
Under the UK's new scheme, the Royal Navy and the National Crime Agency could be deployed to seize tankers, with legal grounds provided by sanctions-related legislation enacted in 2018.
Reports indicate that at least 42 sanctioned vessels have passed through UK waters since January this year, with the actual number likely being significantly higher.
Tom Sharpe, a retired naval officer and former frigate captain, stated that on average, about two Russian shadow fleet tankers pass through British waters each day.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1860824146668544/
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