Home / War and Conflict / Russia Accused of Plotting False Flag Attacks on Its "Shadow Fleet" to Evade Sanctions
Russia Accused of Plotting False Flag Attacks on Its "Shadow Fleet" to Evade Sanctions
5 Aug
Summary
- Russia fears UK plans to attack its "shadow fleet" of sanction-evading tankers
- Moscow claims UK will stage "ecological catastrophe" to justify further actions
- Experts warn Russia may be preparing its own false flag operation
According to a report from Russia's foreign intelligence service, the UK is allegedly plotting to attack Russia's fleet of ships used to subvert sanctions. The report claims that the UK and NATO are planning a "mass raid" on this "shadow fleet" and preparing an "ecological catastrophe in international waters" to justify further actions against Russia.
However, experts warn that the publication of this report raises concerns that Russia itself may be preparing a false flag operation. One interpretation is that Russia is trying to create a pretext for restricting the movement of its sanction-evading tankers, in case something were to "break down or sink" in a way that could be blamed on the West.
This comes as at least six tankers have suffered mysterious explosions since the start of the year, with suspicion largely falling on Ukraine as the targets were all docked in Russian ports and carrying Russian oil. The UK's National Crime Agency has also warned that Russian oil trading companies are utilizing a complex network of "shadow fleet" vessels to circumvent sanctions and continue funding the Russian state.
