Oil tanker belonging to Russia's shadow fleet seized

Belgian authorities have seized an oil tanker suspected of being part of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, the Brussels Defense Minister announced. Theo Franken”In the last few hours, our Armed Forces, with the support of the French Defense Ministry, have boarded an oil tanker belonging to the Russian shadow fleet,” the minister said, adding that the vessel was escorted to the port of Zeebrugge. The operation, titled Blue Intruder, was conducted by an “exceptionally courageous” team of soldiers, the minister added, calling it “excellent work” and thanking the Belgian Justice Minister. Annelies Verlinden, the Minister of the Interior Bernard Quintin, the Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot and the French Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin.

“Without his shadow fleet, (Russian President Vladimir) Putin “Belgium cannot wage war on innocent Ukrainians. Therefore, we eliminate these ships. One by one. Until its war of aggression ends,” Francken wrote in a message on X this morning. “Belgium may be a small country. But we are founding fathers of NATO and the European Union and we take our responsibilities very seriously. (…) When it matters, we do not hide,” he added. The Belgian Prime Minister, Bart DeWever, congratulated the national armed forces “for their professional and resolute conduct during (last night’s) operation.” “I thank our French partners for their essential support. Belgium will respect international maritime law and the security of its territorial waters,” the prime minister concluded.

Oil tanker belonging to Russia’s shadow fleet seized

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