Two oil tankers currently under US sanctions have been spotted sailing east through the English Channel, bound for Russia, sending shockwaves of speculation over potential future seizures by the US and UK.
The two vessels, identified as Aria and Tia, were both en route south of Britain on Thursday evening, with the Aria scheduled to arrive at the Ust-Luga commercial port in eastern Baltic on January 13. The ships have been linked to Russia's largest shipping company and are listed under US sanctions, prompting calls for further action against Moscow.
The news comes a day after the US-led operation seized the Marinera oil tanker, previously the Bella 1, north-west of the British Isles in collaboration with the Royal Navy and RAF. The seizure was justified by Defence Secretary John Healey, who claimed it was part of Russia's shadow fleet used to illicitly ship oil "to bankroll its illegal invasion of Ukraine".
The capture of the Marinera has raised expectations that the UK may join forces with the US to target other Russian or Russia-linked tankers near British waters. However, the Ministry of Defence has refused to comment on any potential plans, saying only that deterring and disrupting the Russian shadow fleet remains a priority.
The Tia, which has changed its name and country of registration several times under US sanctions, is currently on a voyage from Turkey to Russia's Gulf of Finland, due to arrive on January 13. The ship's latest incarnation, Tiavan, was placed under sanctions for carrying crude oil from Venezuela in 2024.
The Aria, registered under the flag of Barbados, has also been listed under US sanctions and is currently sailing between Plymouth and Jersey before heading towards Russia. The ships' routes have raised concerns about potential security risks and the need for further action against Moscow's shadow fleet.
The two vessels, identified as Aria and Tia, were both en route south of Britain on Thursday evening, with the Aria scheduled to arrive at the Ust-Luga commercial port in eastern Baltic on January 13. The ships have been linked to Russia's largest shipping company and are listed under US sanctions, prompting calls for further action against Moscow.
The news comes a day after the US-led operation seized the Marinera oil tanker, previously the Bella 1, north-west of the British Isles in collaboration with the Royal Navy and RAF. The seizure was justified by Defence Secretary John Healey, who claimed it was part of Russia's shadow fleet used to illicitly ship oil "to bankroll its illegal invasion of Ukraine".
The capture of the Marinera has raised expectations that the UK may join forces with the US to target other Russian or Russia-linked tankers near British waters. However, the Ministry of Defence has refused to comment on any potential plans, saying only that deterring and disrupting the Russian shadow fleet remains a priority.
The Tia, which has changed its name and country of registration several times under US sanctions, is currently on a voyage from Turkey to Russia's Gulf of Finland, due to arrive on January 13. The ship's latest incarnation, Tiavan, was placed under sanctions for carrying crude oil from Venezuela in 2024.
The Aria, registered under the flag of Barbados, has also been listed under US sanctions and is currently sailing between Plymouth and Jersey before heading towards Russia. The ships' routes have raised concerns about potential security risks and the need for further action against Moscow's shadow fleet.
"The die is cast" 
- that's what's happening here with these two oil tankers sailing under US sanctions, bound for Russia! It's like a game of cat and mouse between nations, and it's getting more intense by the day 
. The world is watching, and tensions are running high 
. Will the UK join forces with the US to take down these Russian tankers? Only time will tell 
. One thing's for sure, though - the security risks are real, and someone needs to step up and address it 
.
I'm shocked they can just sail through the English Channel like it's a regular route 
! I mean, I get that sanctions are in place, but doesn't that mean you're not supposed to be shipping oil around Europe? It seems so blatant that I wonder if there's more to this story than we know... Maybe these ships aren't just innocent tankers trying to deliver their cargo, maybe they're carrying something else entirely 
. Either way, it's got me wondering how the UK and US are going to take on Russia and its shadow fleet 
. But on the other hand, how can we trust that the US isn't just going to seize another ship and then use it as an excuse for more sanctions? 
And what about the security risks of all these tankers sailing around British waters? It's like, shouldn't there be some kind of international agreement or something? 
I'm torn, tbh...
I gotta say, this whole situation with the oil tankers has got me thinking... We're always so quick to judge others and assume we know what's best for them. But do we really? 
What about the impact on innocent people in Ukraine and other countries affected by this conflict?
Can we choose to be more empathetic, more understanding, and more open-minded when it comes to different perspectives and cultures? 
I'm not saying we should condone Russia's actions, but let's not forget that there are human lives at stake here too.
And hey, even though this news might send shockwaves of speculation, it's also a good reminder that someone's got their eyes on Russia and isn't afraid to take action 
still got me wondering why these ships gotta keep changing names & flags 
meanwhile, Russia's just chillin', takin' their oil wherever they want 
. The fact that they've changed names and registration so many times under US sanctions just shows how clever (or desperate) Moscow is getting.