Baltic Sea
Russia is intensifying attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure ahead of winter. Ukrainian experts advise striking back at oil refineries, oil logistics, and Russia’s export terminals.
The last Russian ships left the Mediterranean on June 30. Russia's fleet is now concentrated in the Baltic Sea and the Atlantic.
In Croatia, a Ukrainian man wanted by Germany in connection with the explosions on the Nord Stream pipelines was detained under a European arrest warrant. His lawyer will appeal the arrest.
Russia has reportedly deployed the missile frigate "Admiral Kasatonov" in the Baltic Sea following the destroyer "Admiral Levchenko". Putin threatens "mirror measures" in response to sanctions against the "shadow fleet".
In central Zagreb, passersby saw men in uniform carrying weapons near the Esplanade Hotel. It turned out that filming was taking place there for a movie about the sabotage of Nord Stream.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the Ukrainian military continues to impose "long-range sanctions" on Russia. He thanked the units of the SSO, SBU, SBS, GUR, and Navy for strikes on oil refineries, ships, and tankers of the "shadow fleet".
The German Oceanographic Museum suggests that Timmy the whale may have died due to the lack of GPS signals after his release into the sea.
Rising prices and demand due to the conflict in the Middle East have record-high increased Russia's profits. Ukrainian drone strikes on ports are hindering budget replenishment.
Brent and WTI prices rose amid expectations of negotiation outcomes and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. OPEC+ agreed to a slight increase in production for May.
The General Staff noted that the refinery is of strategic importance, providing fuel to both the civilian sector and the Russian army.
Swedish authorities allowed the tanker to continue its journey after an inspection following a possible oil spill near Gotland. Two individuals are suspected of an environmental crime.
The Coast Guard detained a Russian shadow fleet vessel near the island of Gotland. An environmental crime investigation has been launched due to an oil spill.
At least four tanks are burning in the port of Primorsk after the strike on the Transneft terminal. NASA satellites confirm large fires in the region.
Drones attacked the port of Primorsk in the Leningrad region, causing a fire in the tanks. Russia exports tens of millions of tons of oil through this hub.
The Swedish Coast Guard boarded the Comoros-flagged vessel Sea Owl I. The tanker is under EU sanctions.
The Russian Federation is increasing the number of vessels under its flag due to the detention of tankers in the West. This creates conditions for sabotage and reconnaissance in the Baltic region.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced the redeployment of the aircraft carrier "Charles de Gaulle" from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean. Additionally, Rafale fighters and air defense systems have been sent to the Middle East.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey discussed with his Baltic and Northern European counterparts the possibility of confiscating oil tankers linked to Russia's shadow fleet. The goal is to tighten restrictions on Moscow's war economy.
A report by the Munich Security Conference warns of a possible new Russian war against the Baltic states within two years after a potential ceasefire in Ukraine. Russia could also start a "local" war against one neighbor within six months.
Spanish EF-18Ms intercepted Russian Su-30SMs over the Baltic Sea. The Russian aircraft were flying without flight plans and with transponders turned off; one of them was fully armed.
Proposals are being discussed to increase NATO's presence in the Arctic and grant the US sovereign claims to specific areas of Greenland. This would limit Russia's and China's access to mineral extraction on the island.
Experts believe that Hiiumaa Island in the Baltic Sea could be seized by Russia, allowing it to control sea and air routes. This would create significant difficulties for the Baltic states and Finland.
After the US seized tankers carrying Venezuelan oil, 26 vessels of the "shadow fleet" changed their registration to Russian. This provides them with political cover and increases geopolitical risks.
Finnish authorities have lifted the arrest of the vessel Fitburg, which was detained on suspicion of sabotaging the Helsinki-Estonia telecommunications cable. Police have completed their work on board, but some crew members are prohibited from leaving Finland.
Latvian police are investigating damage to the Palanga-Liepāja optical cable, considering versions of weather conditions and deliberate interference. The vessel Silver Copenhagen, previously suspected, was found not to be involved in the incident.
Damage to a private company's fiber optic cable has been discovered near Liepāja in the Baltic Sea. Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa announced that Latvian communication users were not affected, and the police are investigating the incident.
Polish fighter jets intercepted a Russian reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea. Part of the sky over Poland was closed due to detected contraband balloons from Belarus.
Germany's Federal Fiscal Court did not allow the confiscation of the oil tanker Eventin, which belongs to Russia's "shadow fleet," due to doubts about the legal grounds. The vessel, carrying 100,000 tons of oil, has been stranded near Rügen, Germany, for a year after an accident.
Swedish defense manufacturer Saab has unveiled the A26, the world's first fifth-generation submarine, focused on stealth. It is designed for NATO's multi-domain operations needs and provides capabilities in the maritime, air, and information domains.
The tanker Furia, carrying Russian Urals oil to India, turned back in the Baltic Sea. This happened after the US tightened sanctions against Russian oil companies Rosneft and Lukoil, which may indicate disruptions in oil trade between the countries.