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Russian warships escort tankers from the "shadow float"
Author:Mariusz Dasiewicz
Russian Polish Navy began escorting tankers belonging to the so-called "shadow float" – ageing, often uninsured and in bad technical condition the units used to export Russian oil. In recent weeks, Baltic Fleet warships have accompanied such transports, among others, when crossing the La Manche Canal towards the Danish Straits.
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Estonian control and Russian response to the Baltic
It is possible that the direct cause of this demonstration of force was the April situation, when the Estonian authorities temporarily detained the tanker Kiwala flowing to the Russian port of Ust-Luga. The body has been subjected to specific checks for non-compliance with maritime safety and environmental protection regulations. After a two-week stop, after removing more than 40 deficiencies, the tanker received permission to continue the cruise to the Russian port of Ust-Ługa.
In response, on 23 April, the Baltic Fleet carried out exercises on the protection of maritime communication lines and response to threats to commercial shipping. The script included, among others, simulated attacks by water and submarine units, fire-fighting activities on ships and procedures to support damaged commercial units.
Channel La Manche – a new section of the escort of shadow fleet ships?
Observations from June indicate that RFS Corvette Boiki, returning from a mission in the West African area, accompanied tankers from the "shadow float" during the crossing Channel La Manche. Importantly, the Russian ship before entering this reservoir changed the AIS signal, impersonating a fishing vessel. This suggests the intent to hide the identity and purpose of the operation.
All three units – Boiki, Sierra and Naxos – they moved together until the Danish Straits reached, through which they led the main sea trail to the Baltic. In this area, tankers split up, taking different courses, while the corvette headed for its home port in the Baltic.
Russian tankers escorts – Escalation of voltages
The actions further confirm that the protection of Russian oil transport, particularly under conditions of increasing sanctions, is gaining the character of military operations. Their aim may be to discourage Western states from taking inspection action against oil tankers related to Russian oil exports. The presence of a warship near commercial units significantly complicates the possible operation of NATO naval forces and increases the risk of escalation of tensions.
Russian Federation More and more boldly, naval forces are using the economic interests of escorting oil tankers from the "shadow float" is part of a wider strategy of military action in international waters used for commercial shipping. The objective is to increase the risk threshold for countries attempting to enforce sanctions. The inclusion of warships in the protection of Russian oil transport not only increases the operational costs of the West, but also represents an attempt to impose a new standard in international shipping.
The movement of merchant vessels in the ace of Russian naval units is to act as a deterrent and discourage control activities under the applicable international law. Such actions can lead to dangerous incidents, especially in areas with intense sea traffic such as the La Manche Canal.
Opportunities and limitations of the Baltic Fleet
However, it should be stressed that the systematic escorting of tankers by Baltic Fleet units generates a significant burden on its resources. Russian repair yards have limited processing capabilities, which may start to reflect on the fleet's operational readiness if the escort forces frequent ship return to port for maintenance work. Such downtimes, connected with the need to carry out repairs, directly restrict the ability of the fleet to carry out its tasks. In order to reduce this effect, Moscow can direct North Fleet ships to these tasks – this perfectly illustrates the presence of RFS fregata Admiral Kasatonov and the RFS destroyer Deputy Admiral Kułakov in the base port of Baltic Fleet in Baltijsk.
Source: Naval News
