Reporting From Ukraine:https://www.youtube.com/@RFU/videosExcerpts from the video transcript:
[ Germany Seizes Russian Ships in a Bold Action!]Today [ Mar 26, 8 pm ], we will discuss how the Russian shadow oil fleet was finally busted, as Germany took a stance to board any sanctioned ship in the Russian flotilla. This important step poses a significant threat to ongoing Russian operations aimed at circumventing Western sanctions. Germany has taken a decisive step against Russia’s illicit oil trade by seizing a tanker from Putin’s so-called shadow fleet, marking a significant escalation in the Western crackdown on sanctions evasion. Recently, German customs officials boarded and confiscated the Panama-flagged tanker Eventin, a vessel long suspected of being part of Russia’s covert maritime network used to bypass Western sanctions. The Eventin, carrying nearly 100,000 tons of Russian oil valued at over 40,000,000 Euro, was officially added to the European Union’s sanctions list in February.
European nations are exploring legal avenues to intensify crackdowns on Russia’s shadow fleet. One approach is to seize aging tankers, many of which are over 15 years old, under maritime laws that address environmental hazards. Another is detaining vessels linked to undersea sabotage, such as the suspected 2023 attack on the Estonia-Finland cable, under counter-piracy laws. Lastly, authorities may require tankers in European waters to carry insurance from approved firms, allowing them to detain ships with inadequate or questionable coverage.
In response to increased Western scrutiny, Russia has turned to cryptocurrency as an alternative means of settling oil transactions. According to reports, intermediary trading firms now facilitate oil sales by converting payments from China and India into cryptocurrencies. These digital assets are then exchanged for rubles in Russia, allowing them to bypass restrictions on dollar-based transactions. Overall, Germany’s seizure of a ship is a strong against Russia’s shadow fleet. To be even more effective, the West must take coordinated, aggressive action to close loopholes that keep these vessels running. Illicit oil sales remain a vital funding source for Moscow’s war in Ukraine. With Europe now considering large-scale confiscations, the fight to cut off Russia’s economic lifelines may soon escalate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkwgycsIN98