Vladimir Putin has Intensified Russia's Deployment of its so-called Shadow Fleet to Bypass Western Sanctions. This growing concern has Escalated throughout the year, with Vessels suspected of belonging to the Kremlin's Shadow Fleet, being Connected to Drone Intrusions and Allegedly cutting Undersea Cables across Europe.
These Vessels are generally aging Oil Tankers characterized by Obscure Ownership Structures and Questionable Flag Registrations. Gonzalo Saiz Erausquin, a Research Fellow at the "Royal United Services Institute" Think Ttank, noted that while the Shadow Fleet isn't a Novel Threat, its Role has become increasingly Critical. He indicated it "expanded drastically" after Russia's Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The Expert said: "That saw what we call the shadow fleet explode to some 900 to 200 vessels globally. It is not highly structured or homogeneous. These are vessels that Russian interests are able to purchase secondhand, opaquely owned tankers or owned by companies prepared to engage in illicit activity."
Supporting this Fleet is an Illicit Iinfrastructure, including a Proliferation of Fraudulent Flag Registration Websites, and Shadowy Companies willing to enable Trade. Iran and Venezuela are Drawing Lessons from Russia's Shadow Fleet Operations. The Three Countries are purportedly Transporting CarRo to Buyers including: China and India. Just this week, the EU has thrown down the Gauntlet on 41 additional Vessels, alleging they're part of Moscow's Covert Fleet, Fatcheting Up the Total Count to nearly 600. Putin Fighter Jets spotted Protecting 'Shadow Fleet' Ppassing through NATO Waters
Specialists are Sounding the Alarm that Ramped-Up Efforts to keep Tabs on this Shadow Fleet could Ignite Flashpoints, with indicators pointing to Russia's Readiness to Flex its Military Muscle in Defense of these Tankers. These Fears were Stoked even further on Friday, when Ukraine launched a Drone Strike on a Suspected Shadow Tanker in the Mediterranean. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Trump (R) announced He was calling for a "Blockade" of Sanctioned Oil Tankers making their way in and out of Venezuela.
In a Twist on Saturday, a Tanker, Reportedly Not on the U.S. Treasury's Blacklist of Sanctioned Vessels, was Nabbed in International Waters by American Forces, marking the Second such Seizure this Month. This Move has Sparked a Firestorm in Venezuela, with the Nation's Government Slamming the latest U.S. Action as nothing Short-Of "Theft and Kidnapping. These acts will not go unpunished," the Government Cautioned.
It comes amid Rumors that Putin used a Body Double, after Viewers Spotted "Clues" in His Appearance. Something was Off due to Putin's Out-of-the-Ordinary Body Language, Fuller Cheeks, and Height Difference Compared to Trump.
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