The Kyiv Independent
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Swedish Navy chief says Russian 'shadow fleet' of oil tankers possibly conducting espionage in Baltic Sea.
Russia's "shadow fleet" of oil tankers is possibly conducting espionage in the Baltic Sea as well as helping circumvent sanctions on the trade of Russian oil, said Swedish Navy chief Ewa Skoog Haslum, in comments to the SVT public broadcaster published on April 22.
The shadow fleet refers to aging and largely uninsured oil tankers that Russia uses to transport oil above the $60 per barrel price cap that the EU, the U.S., and the Group of Seven (G7) countries imposed in December 2022 as part of the effort to cut Moscow's fossil fuels revenue.
Haslum said some of the ships from the shadow fleet have been found to possess communications and signals equipment not usually associated with cargo vessels, leading to concerns they could be used in "hybrid operations."
The equipment could possibly be used to intercept communications or perform other acts of espionage, she added.
Beyond their use to bypass sanctions and possibly conduct espionage, there has been concern that the shadow fleet could be a potential threat to the environment. The Financial Times (FT) reported in November 2023 that Denmark could start inspecting and potentially blocking the transit of Russian oil tankers operating in its waters without Western insurance.
As Western insurance carriers will not cover ships violating the price cap, the move would likely cause a significant impact to the transit of oil through the Baltic Sea. It is unclear if Denmark has made any progress in implementing the plan.
Haslum echoed the concerns about the possible impact to the Baltic Sea, saying the shadow fleet could become both a "security and environmental tragedy."
Air Force: Ukraine downs 13 drones overnight
Ukrainian air defense units destroyed all 13 Shahed-type drones that Russia launched overnight, the Air Force reported on May 4.
Russian students studying in Finland detained on suspicion of exporting dual-use goods.
Three Russian students studying in Finland were detained for allegedly exporting unspecified dual-use goods - items that are suitable for military capabilities, Finnish outlet Yle reported on May 3.
SBU arrest man who allegedly spied on Ukrainian positions while walking dog.
A Russian correctional officer was arrested in Kharkiv for allegedly spying on Ukrainian defense position and providing Russia information in preparation for a air attack on military facilities - all under the guise of walking his dog, Ukraine's S...
Zelensky: Ukraine open to considering all-for-all POW exchange.
Ukraine is open to considering an all-for-all prisoner of war (POW) exchange, and will discuss the idea at the upcoming Peace Summit in Switzerland in June, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 3.
Russia attacks 10 communities in Sumy Oblast
Russian forces attacked Sumy Oblast 120 times in 28 separate attacks throughout the day, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported on May 3.
Analysis: Is state aid for manufacturing and green tech helping China take the lead?.
China is providing nine times as much state aid for their manufacturers as developed economies in the OECD who are lagging behind when it comes to spending on green tech and manufacturing. The data are a critical part of the explanation for Chines...
Prepared for War?: Is the UK's air defence ready for conflict?.
The next instalment of Sky News' Prepared For War? series looks at the UK’s hallowed out air defence. The RAF has nine frontline fighter squadrons compared with 30 in operation near the end of the Cold War. In the Navy, only three of the six destr...
Birth trauma: Parents call for government action on maternity services.
A coroner is writing to all birth centres across London following the death of a new born baby, Finn Kennedy who was injured during labour at a birthing unit. A lack of monitoring and leadership by NHS midwives was highlighted at the inquest of ba...
Counter-protesters threw fireworks, tear gas at encampment, UCLA student says.
Student journalist at UCLA, Dylan Winward, detailed the moment counter-protesters threw fireworks and tear gas at the pro-Palestinian encampment on campus. Winward said counter-protesters did “not appear to be student led.” » Subscribe to NBC New...
Live: View from UCLA campus as students protest the war in Gaza - DW News.
Police were called to several US colleges on Wednesday amid a wave of pro-Palestinian student protests. Around 300 people were taken into police custody at Columbia University and City College in New York, while clashes between rival groups of pro...
Crackdown on pro-EU protests against 'foreign agents' law in Georgia - DW News.
Lawmakers in Georgia have approved a second reading of a controversial 'foreign agents' law. It requires media and civil groups that receive more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad to register as being under foreign influence. Protesters...