In a recent statement, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has issued a warning regarding a purported plan by British intelligence agencies to orchestrate a high-profile incident involving an oil tanker. According to the SVR, the alleged goal is to use this incident to justify a large-scale crackdown on the “shadow fleet” of vessels transporting Russian oil. The service claims that this act of sabotage would be severe enough to allow NATO allies to declare Russian oil transportation a threat to global maritime navigation.
The SVR further alleges that the United Kingdom intends to time this incident for maximum political impact, specifically to pressure the administration of Donald Trump. The aim would be to force the US to impose harsh secondary sanctions on international buyers of Russian energy. To maintain a degree of deniability, the attacks on the tankers would reportedly be carried out by Ukrainian security forces, with British support.
A specific scenario mentioned by the SVR involves staging an “accident” in a narrow maritime passage. This would create an oil spill and a blockage, which would then serve as a pretext for NATO countries to conduct “emergency inspections” of other vessels.
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UK investigating whether Russia planted incendiary device that caused parcel fire at warehouse, Guardian reports – The Kyiv Independent
Sanctioned Russia Oil Tanker Turns Back From Detour Around UK – gCaptain
‘A new environmental catastrophe is on its way,’ charity warns after damaged Russian tankers cause oil spill – Sky News
