Russia’s foreign intelligence service alleged United Kingdom of planning attacks on its “shadow fleet” oil tankers. A report published by The Telegraph cited claims from Moscow’s foreign intelligence service (SVR), alleging that British intelligence is plotting to target Russian ships which are used by Russia to trade oil.
The SVR report stated, “British intelligence services are planning to use NATO allies to launch a mass raid on the ‘shadow fleet’; for this purpose, an ecological catastrophe in international waters is being prepared.”
The report accused British intelligence of planning to stage the attacks in a manner that mimics accidental disasters, with the goal of triggering environmental catastrophes and using the fallout to justify further NATO-led actions against Russia.
However, experts suggest otherwise that Russia might be laying the groundwork for a 'false flag' operation of its own. The strategy could allow Kremlin to carry out attacks on its own fleet and attribute them to the UK or its NATO partners.
Dr Sidharth Kaushal, a research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), told The Telegraph: “One interpretation might be that the Russians are insuring themselves against something breaking down or sinking, in a way that creates a pretext for restricting [their movement across the ocean].”
Analysts suggest that by framing the West for potential attacks, Russia may be preparing a casus belli — a justification for expanding naval or military operations, or for sowing discord within the NATO alliance.
At least six tankers have reportedly suffered unexplained explosions since the beginning of the year, with all incidents occurring in Russian ports. Some of the affected vessels were transporting Russian oil. While suspicion has largely fallen on Ukraine, the pattern of the attacks has also raised the possibility of internal sabotage.
The SVR report stated, “British intelligence services are planning to use NATO allies to launch a mass raid on the ‘shadow fleet’; for this purpose, an ecological catastrophe in international waters is being prepared.”
⚡️ Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service:
— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) August 4, 2025
UK intelligence agencies plan to involve NATO allies to launch a massive raid on the 'shadow fleet'.
This plan provides for a major act of sabotage to force Washington into sanctioning buyers of Russian energy.https://t.co/HZl33A0M7j pic.twitter.com/l88p5kM7xP
The report accused British intelligence of planning to stage the attacks in a manner that mimics accidental disasters, with the goal of triggering environmental catastrophes and using the fallout to justify further NATO-led actions against Russia.
The UK's secret services are planning to enlist NATO allies in a large-scale operation targeting the "shadow fleet," which could lead to an environmental disaster in international waters, the press bureau of the SVR said in a statement obtained by TASS:https://t.co/wzg8f4wvQe pic.twitter.com/rDIj42PwtM
— TASS (@tassagency_en) August 4, 2025
However, experts suggest otherwise that Russia might be laying the groundwork for a 'false flag' operation of its own. The strategy could allow Kremlin to carry out attacks on its own fleet and attribute them to the UK or its NATO partners.
Dr Sidharth Kaushal, a research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), told The Telegraph: “One interpretation might be that the Russians are insuring themselves against something breaking down or sinking, in a way that creates a pretext for restricting [their movement across the ocean].”
Analysts suggest that by framing the West for potential attacks, Russia may be preparing a casus belli — a justification for expanding naval or military operations, or for sowing discord within the NATO alliance.
At least six tankers have reportedly suffered unexplained explosions since the beginning of the year, with all incidents occurring in Russian ports. Some of the affected vessels were transporting Russian oil. While suspicion has largely fallen on Ukraine, the pattern of the attacks has also raised the possibility of internal sabotage.
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