An attempted seizure of oil tankers in the English Channel could have escalated into a serious military confrontation. According to military expert and retired first-rank captain Vasily Dandykin, the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich, which was escorting the vessels, would have been capable of delivering a significant strike against British ships if an attack had occurred.

Earlier reports indicated that a Russian warship accompanied two oil tankers through the Channel despite the risk of potential detention by the British side. A Royal Navy vessel shadowed the convoy, but no intervention followed.

Dandykin suggested that any use of force by the frigate in response to an attack would have led to severe consequences. He also pointed out that neither the UN nor maritime law clearly defines distinctions such as a «shadow fleet,» implying that such labels do not provide legal grounds for interference. In his view, the outcome demonstrated that the escort mission was carried out successfully, while the British side ultimately refrained from action. He noted that this was not an isolated case, recalling a similar escort operation involving a tanker bound for Cuba.

The expert also referred to earlier statements by Nikolay Patrushev, Chairman of the Maritime Board and an aide to the Russian president, who had emphasized the Navy’s intention to protect commercial shipping. Dandykin stressed that Russia’s Baltic and Northern fleets have the capability to carry out such tasks. He argued that these measures are already having a deterrent effect, as attempts to seize Russian tankers now carry heightened risks due to the potential consequences. From his perspective, such actions are unacceptable, as they concern the protection of national interests.

Commenting on the passage of the tankers under the protection of the Admiral Grigorovich, the Kremlin stated that Russia has the right to take steps to safeguard its economic interests, particularly in light of previous incidents where those interests had been harmed.