- Two sanctioned Russian 'shadow fleet' oil tankers, AURA 1 and INA, were confirmed to have transited through British waters in the North Atlantic Ocean on Monday.
- AURA 1, sanctioned in February, entered British North Sea waters on Saturday en route from Russia to Egypt, while INA, sanctioned last May, entered on Sunday, travelling in the opposite direction.
- Both vessels have a history of using evasion tactics such as switching off transmitters and engaging in high-risk ship-to-ship transfers to circumvent UK financial sanctions.
- This transit occurs despite a recent government crackdown and Sir Keir Starmer's announcement that British commandos could board such vessels, though none have been seized.
- The UK government has reiterated its firm stance against the shadow fleet, following declassified reports of Russian submarine activity near critical undersea infrastructure in the North Atlantic.
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