Denmark Warns Russia Could Send Warships To Escort ‘Shadow Fleet’ Oil Tankers

Denmark has warned that Russia’s navy may soon start escorting its oil tankers through important Danish straits, which could increase tensions with NATO countries.

The warning came from the Danish Defense Intelligence Service in its annual security report. The service said that Russia’s threats against Denmark are becoming more serious, and the country now has more ways to challenge NATO members with aggressive military actions.

This could involve Russia sending warships to escort its tankers, which transport oil through the Baltic Sea. These tankers, part of what is known as Russia’s “shadow fleet,” have been operating with little oversight since Western sanctions were imposed after Russia invaded Ukraine.

The Danish Defense Intelligence Service said that if Russia takes this step, it will raise tensions in the region.

The warning comes after six NATO countries- Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Poland, and Sweden- agreed to begin checking the insurance policies of Russian tankers passing through critical European waterways, including the Danish straits and the Gulf of Finland.

These tankers have been operating outside Western regulations, and many are not insured by Western providers.

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal announced that if tankers fail to provide proof of insurance, they could face sanctions, be put on a prohibition list, or even be boarded in certain areas.

12 European countries have come together to disrupt Russia’s shadow fleet and stop it from operating unchecked.

The shadow fleet consists of aging oil tankers, many over 50 years old, which are poorly maintained and often avoid necessary safety measures. Recently, two of these tankers were involved in accidents-one broke apart, and another ran aground during a storm in the Black Sea, spilling tonnes of oil in the water.

Operations are underway to contain the oil spill which has spread chaos in the nearby areas.

Denmark’s military intelligence service also warned that Russia’s aggressive actions could lead to more confrontational behaviour towards NATO’s military ships and aircraft.

This could cause misunderstandings or minor accidents in the Baltic Sea and Arctic, areas where Russia is increasingly active.

Denmark’s report also warned that Russia is likely to increase military exercises and electronic warfare activities near NATO territory, including GPS jamming.

These actions could disrupt both civilian and military operations, raising the risk of accidents or further escalation.

The Arctic is becoming a more important region strategically, and Russia is expected to increase its activities there as well. The Danish Defense Intelligence Service warned that the risk of escalation in the Arctic is now higher, as Russia seeks to show strength in this area.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed support for these measures, saying that the tankers not only support Russia’s war efforts but also pose a major risk to the Baltic and Northern Seas environment.

The UK and the EU have already sanctioned several vessels from the shadow fleet. Recently, the UK sanctioned 20 ships, barring them from entering certain ports, while the EU added 52 more vessels to its sanctions list, bringing the total to 79.

Despite these efforts, international law allows ships freedom to sail in international waters, which limits how much NATO countries can act against these tankers.

Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store discussed the need for NATO countries to cooperate and strengthen regulations to limit the risks posed by the shadow fleet.

Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson also said that while freedom of navigation must be respected, NATO cannot ignore the possible risk it poses.

References: Reuters, BNN Bloomberg

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