Russian Tankers Are Moving En Masse Across The English Channel

• 30.01.2026, 20:15

Britain promises 'decisive action'.

At least eight sub-sanctioned oil tankers are now moving across the English Channel. This comes despite the British government announcing a crackdown on the "shadow fleet".

This is reported by BBC.

It is noted that the British government has promised to take "decisive action" against the "shadow fleet" vessels. According to the BBC, British officials have been advised that tankers can be detained and seized.

The powers have yet to be used, however, and on Friday, January 30, the ship-tracking website MarineTraffic revealed that eight under-sanctioned tankers are currently moving through the English Channel. A further four tankers appear to be heading for the passage from the North Sea.

Some of the vessels, such as the Kusto, a 21-year-old oil tanker now sailing south of the Isle of Wight, have made multiple trips across the Channel over the past year. The MarineTraffic website indicates that Kusto loaded at the Russian port of Ust-Luga ten days ago.

BBC reports that dozens of other "shadow fleet" vessels have crossed the Channel since the beginning of the year.