Russia 'false flag' fears as Moscow accuses UK of plotting attack against Putin's ships

Britain has been accused of preparing to launch "mass raids" to sink ships in the Russian shadow fleet. The claims, made by the SVR, Moscow's MI6 equivalent, allege that the UK is planning attacks on the fleet of tankers used by the country to circumnavigate oil sanctions.

The attacks would be designed to look like an accident, according to the SVR, to reduce the chances that Moscow would consider it an act of conventional warfare. Experts have warned that the ageing Soviet-era ships are already barely seaworthy, raising fears that a legitimate accident could be capitalised on by Moscow for propaganda purposes or to justify military action of their own. The SVR report claimed, without providing evidence: "British intelligence services are planning to use NATO allies to launch a mass raid on the 'shadow fleet'; for this purpose, an ecological catastrophe in international waters is being prepared."

It further alleged that the UK could use Ukrainian special forces to sink one or more ships.

The report raises fears of a Russian "false flag" operation, a term used to describe an orchestrated attack by a nation to make it seem like they are under attack in order to justify military or political moves.

Such operations are believed to have been used by Vladimir Putin in the past to justify military action in Chechnya and Ukraine.

Another explanation for the report could be an attempt by Russia to lay the groundwork to save face should the ageing ship accidentally sink or experience some other disaster.

Dr Sidharth Kaushal, a research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), a London-based think tank, told The Telegraph: "One interpretation might be that the Russians are insuring themselves against something breaking down or sinking, in a way that creates a pretext for restricting their movement across the ocean."

Russia's shadow fleet comprises ships engaged in illegal operations for the purposes of circumventing sanctions, evading compliance with safety or environmental regulations, avoiding insurance costs or engaging in other illegal activities.

According to the Brookings Institute, the volume of oil carried on its vessels has declined rapidly from 50 million barrels a month to 20 million since the start of 2025, amid a spate of suspicious attacks on tankers docked in Russian ports, which have largely been blamed on Ukraine.

Last year, the government said in a policy paper: "Russia's 'shadow fleet' poses a threat to our nations and others who depend on the world's seas and oceans."

The paper added that "many ships in this 'shadow fleet' are uninsured and poorly maintained. Many engage in activities which violate basic safety and environmental standards and regulations," as it set out measures to counter its impact and urged other nations to enforce international law.

The SVR report added: "The impetus for such a campaign, according to London's plan, should be given by a resonant incident with one or several tankers.

"The plan provides for the organisation of a major sabotage, the damage from which will make it possible to declare the transportation of Russian oil a threat to all international shipping.

"This will untie the West's hands in choosing methods of counteraction."