Breaking News: Who is Sabotaging Russia's Grey Fleet Oil Tankers? - Silicon Curtain

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Edition No179 | 05-07-2025 - The number of incidents befalling Russia’s sanctions-busting grey fleet of oil tankers is increasing. Is a pattern emerging, or are these accidents inevitable for a vast fleet of vessels that have outlived their mandated lifespans? Or is Ukraine enforcing oil sanctions in the only way that works – by physically disabling Russian ships on the high seas?

Today, we will revisit the topic of oil sanctions by other means — and ask if grey fleet incidents, are covert military cover, and the strategic pain that may be inflicted on Moscow’s war machine. We dig deeper into each maritime event, unpack Europe’s response, and trace the illicit oil trading that is bringing in vast sums of money to power Putin’s war machine.
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DESCRIPTION:
Targeting Russia’s Gray Fleet: An Inside Look at Covert Maritime Warfare

In this episode of Silicon Bites, we delve into the targeting of Russia’s 'gray fleet'—a clandestine fleet of oil tankers sustaining Putin’s economy and war efforts. We examine various incidents involving these vessels, potential acts of sabotage, and how Ukraine and Europe are responding. Detailed events such as the Eagle S incident, the Koala’s hull blast, and mediteranean attacks on Sea Charm, Sea Jewel, and Grace Phem are discussed. Additionally, we analyze the strategic economic impact of these actions and the need for a united NATO and EU stance to choke off Russia's illegal oil trade support, implicating higher necessary pressure on Putin’s war economy.
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction to Russia's Gray Fleet
01:43 Incidents Involving Russian Ships
04:58 European Response to the Gray Fleet
06:28 Russia's Countermeasures
11:33 Strategic Importance and Conclusion