The British Royal Navy concluded a surveillance operation described as "intense" against Russian ghost fleet ships in the United Kingdom's territorial waters. The operation closely tracked the movements of Russian vessels operating under the so-called "flags of convenience" system, a practice that allows vessels to conceal their true ownership and origin.
The British Ministry of Defence stated that, as a result of this surveillance, Russia was forced to mobilize costly military resources to protect its cargo. Specifically, the Neustrashimy frigate was highlighted, which had to be sent to escort and protect the ghost fleet ships in British waters.
The Russian ghost fleet is composed of old, degraded ships that transport oil and other goods, frequently deviating from normal routes to avoid international sanctions. These ships operate with false identities and invalid insurance, representing a significant risk to maritime and environmental security.
British authorities consider that the surveillance operation demonstrated the vulnerability of Russian logistics and the high cost that the United Kingdom can impose on Russian maritime activity without resorting to direct confrontation. The mobilization of the Neustrashimy frigate is seen as an indicator of the annoyance caused by these monitoring operations in UK waters.
