Russia’s international intelligence service alleged United Kingdom of planning assaults on its “shadow fleet” oil tankers. A report revealed by The Telegraph cited claims from Moscow’s international intelligence service (SVR), alleging that British intelligence is plotting to focus on Russian ships that are utilized by Russia to commerce oil.The SVR report acknowledged, “British intelligence companies are planning to make use of NATO allies to launch a mass raid on the ‘shadow fleet’; for this objective, an ecological disaster in worldwide waters is being ready.”The report accused British intelligence of planning to stage the assaults in a way that mimics unintended disasters, with the purpose of triggering environmental catastrophes and utilizing the fallout to justify additional NATO-led actions in opposition to Russia.Nonetheless, consultants recommend in any other case that Russia is perhaps laying the groundwork for a ‘false flag’ operation of its personal. The technique might enable Kremlin to hold out assaults by itself fleet and attribute them to the UK or its NATO companions.Dr Sidharth Kaushal, a analysis fellow on the Royal United Providers Institute (RUSI), instructed The Telegraph: “One interpretation is perhaps that the Russians are insuring themselves in opposition to one thing breaking down or sinking, in a approach that creates a pretext for limiting [their movement across the ocean].”Analysts recommend that by framing the West for potential assaults, Russia could also be getting ready a casus belli — a justification for increasing naval or navy operations, or for sowing discord throughout the NATO alliance.At the least six tankers have reportedly suffered unexplained explosions for the reason that starting of the yr, with all incidents occurring in Russian ports. Among the affected vessels have been transporting Russian oil. Whereas suspicion has largely fallen on Ukraine, the sample of the assaults has additionally raised the potential for inside sabotage.
