The Estonian navy attempted to detain an oil tanker heading to Russia that has been sanctioned by the UK, claiming it was sailing illegally without a flag.
However, the navy did not board the vessel when it refused to comply, instead escorting it to Russian waters.
The tanker, Jaguar, was added to the UK’s sanctions list last Friday and is among approximately 100 ships in Russia’s “shadow fleet,” a term used by Western nations for vessels they allege Moscow employs to circumvent international sanctions.
These vessels are generally unregulated and not insured by conventional Western organisations.
Since it was sailing “without a nationality,” Estonia “was obligated to verify the vessel’s documents and legal status,” he noted.
“The vessel did not cooperate and continued its journey towards Russia … given its lack of nationality, the use of force, including boarding the vessel, was considered unnecessary.”
An Estonian patrol monitored the Jaguar until it reached Russian waters, Commander Vark added.
On X, Estonia’s foreign minister stated that Russia “must face tougher, faster sanctions” in response.
“With the information operation that followed, Russia has clearly linked itself to the shadow fleet,” Margus Tsahkna wrote.
The Estonian defense ministry opted not to comment.
Yesterday, another incident involving Russia’s shadow fleet in the Gulf of Finland highlighted the need for action.
Following the information operation, Russia has undeniably tied itself to the shadow fleet—a threat that necessitates tougher and quicker sanctions.
will defend our & Allies’ security.
— Margus Tsahkna (@Tsahkna) May 14, 2025
As of yesterday, the Jaguar was anchored near the Russian port of Primorsk, according to Marine Traffic data.
It was registered there under the flag of the Central African nation of Gabon.
Commander Vark was responding to a request for comment regarding a recording on X that appears to show the attempted boarding, which could not be independently verified.
Shot from the bridge of a tanker whose International Maritime Organization identification number matches that of the Jaguar, the video captures a navy patrol boat, a helicopter, and a patrol aircraft hovering in the vicinity.
“This is an Estonian warship … follow my instructions, alter your course to 105 immediately,” a voice on the radio commands.
In Russian, an off-camera voice responds: “We are being met by helicopters; they are demanding we go to anchor.”
A military jet, which Estonia does not operate, is also visible flying nearby.
Commander Vark did not respond to a question regarding whether the incident was connected to Tuesday’s alleged breach of Estonian airspace by a Russian military jet, which drew a protest from Estonia.
On X, Margarita Simonyan, head of Russia’s state media outlet RT, who posted the video, claimed the jet was a Russian Su-35, deployed to prevent the vessel’s seizure.
In an incident on April 11, Estonia detained and boarded a Russia-bound oil tanker, Kiwala, accusing it of sailing without a valid national flag.
The tanker complied and was released two weeks later.
