Russia Escorts Sanctioned Tankers Through English Channel

(KYIV) – Ukrainian forces carried out a series of coordinated strikes on Russian oil infrastructure and military assets, while Moscow signalled a more assertive posture in European waters by escorting sanctioned tankers through the English Channel.

Video footage released on 9 April shows a strike on an electrical substation at the Krymskaya oil pumping facility in Krasnodar Krai, southern Russia, on the Black Sea coast. The installation supplies power to infrastructure that transports oil to the Novorossiysk export hub. The strike triggered a fire and caused a power outage, disabling operations at the site.

Geolocated imagery confirms the damage to the substation, which is part of a wider Ukrainian campaign targeting Russian oil export logistics. The operation follows previous strikes on key hubs including Primorsk and Novorossiysk, aimed at reducing Moscow’s ability to profit from energy exports.

Additional footage shows the moment of impact, with a visible explosion followed by a blackout in the surrounding area.

In occupied Crimea, Ukrainian drones struck multiple targets, including a fuel terminal in Feodosia. Fires were reported at the site, which has been repeatedly targeted since the start of the war. Ukrainian strikes also reportedly destroyed or damaged a Buk M3 air defence system, a Tor M2 system in Donetsk region, and a Zoopark counter battery radar used to detect artillery fire.

Warehouses and supply depots in Donetsk Oblast were also hit, alongside a drone storage facility. Video evidence shows repeated strikes on infrastructure, including secondary impacts following initial misses.

Data compiled from previous attacks indicates that approximately 73 percent of fuel storage tanks at the Feodosia depot have been destroyed across multiple strikes over the past four years, with further damage recorded to additional facilities. Fires at such sites are difficult to extinguish due to the nature of fuel combustion and are often left to burn out.

Separately, Russia deployed a naval escort for sanctioned oil tankers passing through the English Channel. The frigate Admiral Grigorovich accompanied two vessels identified as Universal and Enigma, marking a rare instance of militarised convoy activity in European waters in recent decades.

The convoy was shadowed by a Royal Navy vessel. The move follows a March announcement by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer authorising the detention of Russian “shadow fleet” vessels used to bypass sanctions. No such seizures have yet been confirmed.

The escorted transit is widely seen as a test of the UK’s willingness to enforce sanctions at sea.

British defence officials also reported increased Russian submarine activity near undersea cables and pipelines. More than 500 personnel were involved in monitoring operations over several weeks. The UK Defence Secretary warned Moscow that any attempt to damage critical infrastructure would face serious consequences.

On the battlefield, both Ukrainian and Russian forces continue to adapt drone tactics. Footage shows close range engagements between drones, including attempts to disable opposing systems using improvised methods.

In Northern Europe, Finland announced plans to expand its artillery capabilities by acquiring more than 100 additional K9 self propelled howitzers from South Korea. The move will significantly increase its already substantial artillery inventory.

Estonia has also revised its defence procurement strategy, redirecting approximately €500 million, equivalent to about $545 million, from infantry fighting vehicles to drone related capabilities, including surveillance, strike systems, and counter drone defences.

Officials cited lessons learned from Ukraine, where rapid technological adaptation has reshaped modern warfare.