Russian Submarine Escorts "Shadow Fleet" Tanker Evading U.S.

Russia has sent a submarine and other naval ships to escort an oil tanker being chased by the United States, reports say. The move significantly raises tensions over the tanker, which is part of a "shadow fleet" used to bypass Western sanctions. The vessel, named the Bella 1, has spent over two weeks trying to avoid a U.S. blockade. This blockade targets tankers carrying oil from sanctioned countries like Venezuela. According to ship-tracking data, the tanker was near Iceland's waters on Wednesday. A "shadow fleet" is a group of older tankers that operate secretly. They are often used to transport oil from countries under international sanctions, hiding their location and cargo origins. The direct Russian military escort marks a major escalation. It pits Russian naval forces directly against U.S. efforts to enforce oil sanctions.