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Sanctioned Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker Spills Oil Near Oman Coast
Kyiv Post • • world
Key Points:
- A Russian-sanctioned tanker, Caroline Bezengi, is reportedly leaking oil in a marine conservation area off Oman, raising concerns about environmental risks from aging vessels used to evade Western sanctions.
- Satellite imagery from early July indicates a probable oil spill near Al-Qibliyah island, with experts confirming the contamination, while the tanker experienced operational issues near Yemen in early June.
- The Caroline Bezengi is part of Russia’s shadow fleet, composed of older, poorly maintained tankers that facilitate continued Russian oil exports despite international sanctions.
- Ukraine’s military campaign targets the Russian shadow fleet to disrupt oil logistics without causing environmental damage, aiming to disable vessels rather than sink them and trigger spills.
- Since July 6, Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces have struck 172 vessels, focusing on feeder tankers that supply fuel to Crimea, with the goal of paralyzing Russia’s sanctioned oil transport network.
