BREAKING: New Confrontation - Russia Militarises the English Channel

Описание: 2026-01-27 | UPDATES #114 | Russian warships escort “grey fleet” vessels through the English Channel — a confrontation in the making?

A sanctioned oil tanker is boarded in the Mediterranean. Days later, a Russian warship escorts an oil tanker through the English Channel — with NATO watching every meter of water. This is a potential flashpoint, sanctions enforcement colliding with Russian naval deterrence, Putin running maritime cover for the operations of his illegal oil export trade.

Today’s news flash is about the English Channel — and a major challenge for NATO planners: Russia is pairing its oil-linked shipping with naval escorts, and the West is inching toward more assertive enforcement against the “shadow” or “grey” fleet that bankrolls the war.
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SOURCES:
Reuters (Jan 23, 2026): UK Royal Navy shadows Boikiy and MT General Skobelev through the English Channel.
Royal Navy (Jan 23, 2026): Official operational account + statements from Al Carns and ship/aircrew.
Reuters (Jan 22, 2026): UK support for French operation to board tanker Grinch; Healey quote on shadow fleet priority.
Reuters (Jan 22, 2026): France intercepts Grinch; Macron and Zelenskyy X-post quotes; legal framing under UNCLOS; diversion for investigation.
AP (Jan 22–25, 2026): French interception and subsequent detention/questioning of Grinch captain; investigative steps.
The Maritime Executive (Jan 2026): “Heightened scrutiny” around General Skobelev transit; Kelin quote; UK enforcement posture signals.
UK Government (Jan 7, 2026): Healey statement on shadow fleet, sanctions count, and enforcement framing (background).
Hansard (UK Parliament, Jan 19, 2026): Parliamentary language tying shadow fleet transits to wider threat perception (background).
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