Western states have sought to cripple Russia's economy with sanctions and in recent months have tried to block oil tankers suspected of involvement in Russian oil shipments. In January, the United ​States seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker as part of efforts ⁠to curb Venezuelan oil exports. Patrushev, a Kremlin ⁠aide who is a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, said Russia needed to give a ⁠tough ‌response - particularly towards Britain, France and Baltic states. He also said that Russia believed ⁠the NATO military alliance planned to blockade the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad on the Baltic Sea. The shadow fleet refers to a network of ⁠vessels that Western nations say are operated by Russia to evade sanctions.

Source: The Star February 17, 2026 19:50 UTC