Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleRussian mercenaries, including members of the Wagner group, have been identified guarding sanctioned Russian oil tankers passing through the English Channel. An investigation found 83 security guards on these tankers, with 18 confirmed to have ties to the Wagner group and others linked to Russian intelligence. These tankers have reportedly made 189 journeys through British waters since 2023, despite the UK announcing powers to board such vessels. The EU has expanded its naval mission, Operation IRINI, to allow military vessels in the Mediterranean to inspect foreign ships suspected of being part of the 'shadow fleet'. Russia's Foreign Ministry has condemned the EU's actions as a threat to maritime security, warning of potential retaliatory measures. In fullMembers of Wagner mercenary group ‘guarding Russia’s shadow fleet through the English Channel’Thank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Russian mercenaries ‘guarding Putin’s shadow fleet’ in English Channel
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleRussian mercenaries, including members of the Wagner group, have been identified guarding sanctioned Russian oil tankers passing through the English Channel. An investigation found 83 security guards on these tankers, with 18 confirmed to have ties to the Wagner group and others linked to Russian intelligence. These tankers have reportedly made 189 journeys through British waters since 2023, despite the UK announcing powers to board such vessels. The EU has expanded its naval mission, Operation IRINI, to allow military vessels in the Mediterranean to inspect foreign ships suspected of being part of the 'shadow fleet'. Russia's Foreign Ministry has condemned the EU's actions as a threat to maritime security, warning of potential retaliatory measures. In fullMembers of Wagner mercenary group ‘guarding Russia’s shadow fleet through the English Channel’Thank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
