Russia Scrambles Fighter Jet to Escort Shadow Fleet Tanker, Violates Estonian Airspace

The Estonian Navy attempted to detain the JAGUAR tanker, part of Russia’s shadow fleet, which was sailing under the flag of Gabon through international waters in the Gulf of Finland toward the port of Primorsk.

The Estonians demanded that the tanker’s crew change course. A video from the tanker’s bridge showing the actions of the Estonian Navy was published on the Russian Internet pages.

To detain the Russian vessel, Estonia deployed an AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter, an M28 Skytruck aircraft, and the patrol boat EML Raju.

In response, the Russian military deployed a Su-35S fighter jet to escort the tanker and protect it from Estonian aviation.

It is reported that the crew did not comply with the demands and refused to change course.

The Jaguar anchored near Gogland Island in the Gulf of Finland, in the eastern part of the Baltic Sea.

The Estonian Ministry of Defence reported that during the violation, the Su-35S lacked two-way radio communication with Estonian air traffic control.

The incident was promptly responded to by Portuguese Air Force F-16 fighter jets, which were stationed in Ämari for the airspace protection of the Baltic States.

This is not the first such incident involving the Russian shadow fleet. On April 11, the Estonian Navy reported the detention of the Kiwala tanker, which was en route from India to the Russian port of Ust-Luga.

The Kiwala tanker, part of the Russian shadow fleet, exports crude oil and petroleum products from Russia to third countries.

“Over the past year, many vessels have appeared in the Gulf of Finland that are operating without documentation. And it can be confidently stated that these are part of the shadow fleet,” Veiko Kommussaar, Deputy Director General at Police and Border Guard Board, emphasized.