BBC News announced on June 24, 2025 that the corvette “Bojkij” escorted Selva and Sierra tankers, which are part of the Russian “Shadow Fleet”. They are used to avoid western sanctions for oil export. The Russian war ship sailed the La Manche channel “in disguise” – he broadcast a false identification signal.
See also: Poland strikes the Russian “Shadow Fleet”. The EU is preparing sharper sanctions
Information on the unprecedented situation, which took place on June 20, 2025, was given for the first time “The Telegraph”. The action caused anxiety about Russia's intentions, as the Steregushchy class corvette was armed with bullets.
As noted by BBC television, by “Bojkij” a false automatic signal of the identification system (AIS) in order to impersonate a different ship, is very unusual for the Russian warship, which usually completely turns off the transponders.
The Russian war ship “in disguise” was sailed by the La Manche channel
Tanks, Identified by BBC Verify based on video analysis and tracking datathey met with the war ship at the mouth of the La Manche Canal on June 20, before they sailed at the Danish bridge of the Great Belt Bridge on the way to the Baltic Sea.
The Russian “Shadow Fleet”, consisting of tankers with unclear property to bypass sanctions, has grown since the start of the war in Ukraine. “Kyiv Post” noticed on June 25, 2025 that the open escort of tankers through “Bojkij” means a bold changebecause Russia had previously avoided such overt involvement of the Navy.
See also: Ecological and military threat. “Shadow fleet” in the EU's crosshair
Great Britain, which imposed sanctions costing Russia $ 43 billion. revenues from oil from 2022, faces the challengebecause these tankers bypass restrictions.
Unprecedented The “Bojkij” action fell during the period of increased tension, and NATO warns against the Russian-Chinese alliance, which can potentially attack Taiwan.
Some are afraid that this incident may mean that Russia is testing Western determination. BBC Verify journalists who conducted the investigation determined that Royal Navy (Great Britain Navy) followed “Bojkij” during his crossing of the channel.
