On 22 June 2025, it was revealed that the Russian Navy corvette Boykiy accompanied two sanctioned tankers, SELVA and SIERRA, through the English Channel on 16 June. Both vessels, part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” and subject to EU and UK sanctions, were en route to Russian ports to load oil. This marked the first openly recorded instance of a Russian military ship escorting sanctioned vessels in European waters. DW report
military escort signals escalation in sanctions defiance
Marine analyst Mark Douglas reported via LinkedIn that the synchronised passage of the Boykiy alongside the SELVA and SIERRA through the strategic maritime chokepoint demonstrates Moscow’s readiness to deploy naval power to protect its sanction-evading oil trade. The move is a direct challenge to Western sanctions and an overt display of defiance near the UK and EU coastlines. The Insider, Strana.today
coordinated manoeuvres reveal premeditated sanction evasion
Automatic Identification System (AIS) data confirms carefully timed and coordinated navigation of the vessels, signalling that the Russian Navy meticulously planned this operation. The sanctioned tankers’ movements were clearly orchestrated to circumvent restrictions, under military protection. Topwar analysis
implications for Western response and maritime security
The sanctioned status of the tankers under UK and EU regimes should have prompted immediate countermeasures. The lack of a swift response risks being interpreted by Russia as tacit permission to continue such practices. Western governments are urged to strengthen sanctions enforcement, increase maritime surveillance in key passages like the English Channel, Gibraltar, and Baltic straits, and deny insurance, port access, and servicing to vessels involved.
nato urged to enhance naval patrols to counter russian tactics
Experts call for NATO to establish interagency maritime patrols aimed at preventing further military escort of sanctioned vessels. The English Channel incident serves as a test of Western resolve. Failure to respond decisively may encourage Russia to expand armed protection of illicit trade routes, turning critical shipping lanes into arenas of hybrid confrontation.
This development underscores the escalating complexity of enforcing sanctions amid growing Russian audacity and highlights urgent security challenges for Europe’s maritime borders.
