A Russian naval vessel has drawn international attention after it disguised its identity while passing through the English Channel alongside two oil tankers under Western sanctions. The ship, the Boikiy—a corvette equipped with guided missiles—broadcast a false identification code during its journey, making it appear as a different vessel on tracking sites.
Investigators pieced together the Boikiy’s true identity using satellite images, tracking data, and video footage from Denmark. The warship was seen traveling with two tankers, the Sierra and the Naxos, both linked to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” that is used to move oil in defiance of international sanctions.
Experts believe the presence of a Russian military escort was meant to deter Western navies from intercepting or boarding the tankers. Recent attempts by European authorities to crack down on these shadow fleet operations have led to tense encounters, including a Russian fighter jet entering Estonian airspace last month after a ship was challenged.
The Boikiy’s journey began in West Africa, where it had participated in diplomatic activities. After leaving port, it did not activate its Automatic Identification System (AIS), a move common for military vessels but unusual when paired with the use of a false ID code. Analysts say this kind of deception is rare for Russian naval ships, which typically prefer to remain undetected by simply switching off their AIS.
The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that the Royal Navy kept a close watch on the Boikiy as it moved through British waters. Satellite images appeared to show a British ship shadowing the Russian vessel, highlighting the ongoing cat-and-mouse game between Russia and NATO forces in European seas.