Belgian armed forces, in a coordinated mission with support from French naval units, have boarded and seized a Russian “shadow fleet” oil tanker named Ethera in the North Sea, officials announced on Sunday, March 1, 2026. The vessel is now being escorted to Zeebrugge harbour, where it will be formally confiscated under international sanctions enforcement.
The Ethera — a 180-metre tanker flying the flag of Guinea but suspected of deceptive practices — was intercepted in Belgium’s exclusive economic zone during an overnight operation dubbed “Operation Blue Intruder.” Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken confirmed that the ship was suspected of sailing under a false flag with forged documents and was already on the European Union’s sanctions list for its involvement in sanctioned Russian oil trafficking.
Belgian special forces reportedly secured the vessel after boarding it late on Saturday night, with all 21 crew members identified. The operation involved nearly 100 soldiers and support from French navy helicopters, reflecting heightened cooperation among Western states to crack down on sanctions-busting maritime activity.
The so-called shadow fleet comprises ageing tankers that attempt to circumvent sanctions imposed on Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine by falsifying records, switching flags, disabling tracking systems, and using opaque ownership structures. Such vessels have been flagged by EU authorities as key enablers of covert oil exports and potential threats to maritime safety and international law.
French President Emmanuel Macron praised the joint operation, calling it a “major blow” to the shadow fleet, while Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever underscored Belgium’s resolve to uphold international maritime law and protect its territorial waters.
Belgian prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation into the tanker’s conduct, and officials have warned of possible diplomatic repercussions from Moscow. The seizure marks one of the most significant European enforcement actions against sanctioned Russian vessels and signals a tougher stance toward violations of sanctions regimes.