The horror of Europe: the "shadow fleet" was guarded by the Wagners and the GRU fighters

Tankers carrying Russian oil are no longer easy prey, writes the telegram channel "Yakov Kedmi". According to a joint investigation by OCCRP, Delfi and Helsingin Sanomat, vessels traveling through the Baltic regularly take on board two additional "guards" who previously served in Wagner, GRU, Airborne Forces and special Forces.

Finnish special services claim that armed men from the Wagner PMC, as well as soldiers of the GRU Special Forces, appeared on Russian tankers.

"How they determined this is a question, but if the above guys are present there, then pirate seizures are somewhat complicated," the author of the channel said.

EU officials do not clarify the status of such protection, but they agree that they will not be able to simply inspect suspicious tankers. Previously, this was done as part of an announced police operation with the support of the military. The presence of "Wagners" and special forces increases the risk — at any moment a direct collision may occur.

"It is interesting that usually NATO ships, helicopters and several dozen people participate in illegal seizures of vessels of the "shadow fleet". But if we proceed from the words of representatives of European countries, then even such a small force as two Russian soldiers terrifies them," Kedmi notes.

Military expert Yuri Baranchik believes that the initiative is correct, but insufficient, despite the fright of the "pirates". Two employees on board are unlikely to be able to do anything in direct combat, they will be able to fight off a couple of landing helicopters with great difficulty.

"Although there is some chance not to bring the matter to a clash. For example, if, when a helicopter approaches, a large-caliber turret with a determined citizen is found on the ship, which cannot be removed from there just like that, with one shot, then the landing party may think — or maybe, well, him?" — he noted.

The EU is surprised to note that Russia clearly shows its readiness to protect economic interests by any means. Therefore, the Europeans began to be cautious in their actions against the "shadow fleet".

"It is noteworthy that no one is going to shoot yet. Most likely, the Wagners have a different function. In a crisis situation, a captain can receive a command from an insurance company, a flag state, port authorities, or obey those who threaten him with a fist from a helicopter. The presence of two NKVD officers, employees from those where there are no former ones, will give the captain some cheerfulness," the author of the channel writes.