Estonian forces attempted to board the oil tanker Jaguar – believed to be part of Vladimir Putin’s clandestine fleet used to dodge international sanctions – before a Russian warplane was launched
Both NATO and Russia scrambled warplanes in a dramatic dogfight above the Baltic after a major standoff over a tanker in Vladimir Putin’s shadow fleet. Estonian forces attempted to board the “Gabon-flagged” oil tanker Jaguar – believed to be part of Putin’s clandestine fleet used to dodge international sanctions.
The tanker, which was sanctioned by Britain on Friday, was en route to Russia and refused to comply with Estonian orders. As tensions escalated, NATO launched fighter jets – including Polish MiG-29s – into the skies, while Russia responded by scrambling a Su-35S warplane. The Russian jet allegedly violated Estonian airspace as it moved to shield the Jaguar, heightening fears of direct confrontation in one of the most volatile regions in Europe.
In dramatic footage, the Polish plane was seen tailing the Russian Su-35 in a dogfight over the Gulf of Finland, part of the Baltic Sea. A Russian voice on the bridge of the tanker accused the Estonians of being “clowns” as they tried and failed to board the vessel. The tanker ultimately anchored near Gotland Island – controlled by Russia – in the eastern Baltic Sea.
Footage shows the high drama in one of the most tense regions in the world amid disputes between Russia and NATO over Ukraine. “This is how we’re greeted with helicopters,” said a voice – apparently Russian – on the tanker. “They’re demanding we anchor.”
A message is heard saying: “This is Estonian warship Papa 6732. Your request will be denied. Follow my instructions. Immediately change course to 105. Over.” A voice from the tanker in Hindi says: “That looks like our drone in front….” A Russian voice demands: “Go on, hit it running….”
Referring to the Estonians, he says: “What a bunch of clowns!” The Estonian vessel comes close to the tanker seeking to swerve it to the right. An Estonian A139 helicopter and an M-28 Skytruck plane of the Estonian defence forces were seen circling the vessel.
Boasting a success against the West, pro-Kremlin news outlet Izvestia reported: “Despite this show of force, the Estonian authorities were unable to stop the vessel. The Jaguar ultimately reached Gogland Island …. a Russian-controlled territory in the Gulf [of Finland], and resumed its route to Primorsk.”
Russian outlet News-Pravda reported “sailors from the Baltic Republic [Estonia] twice tried to land troops from a helicopter.” After the extraordinary clash, NATO state Estonia summoned the Russian Chargé d’Affaires in Tallinn, Lenar Salimullin, who was handed a note of protest, accusing the Putin warplane of violating the republic’s airspace.
”From Estonia’s point of view, this is a very serious and regrettable incident that is in no way unacceptable,” said Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna. He demanded that Russia “must face tougher, faster sanctions” .
The tanker had been near Naissaar Island, off Tallinn, when the Estonian Navy communicated with it by radio at 1530 GMT on Tuesday, said Commander Ivo Vark. It was sailing “without a nationality” and Estonia “had an obligation to verify the vessel’s documents and legal status”, said the Estonian. “The vessel denied cooperation and continued its journey toward Russia… given the vessel’s lack of nationality, the use of force, including boarding the vessel, was deemed unnecessary.”
Estonia escorted it until the vessel reached Russian waters. Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said the ship was sent from Estonian to Russian territorial waters to prevent a threat to his country’s critical infrastructure. “The issue was the ship’s flag state, and our most important goal was to ensure the security of critical infrastructure. This was achieved,” he claimed.
The 800-ft long Jaguar is a crude oil tanker reportedly sailing under the flag of Gabon. The Equasis database suggested the ship changed its name and flag state at the beginning of February. According to this data its name is now Argent and its flag state is Guinea-Bissau.
Putin uses a vast network of non-Russian tankers – called a shadow fleet – to avoid oil sanctions.