Belgium’s armed forces have seized an oil tanker belonging to Russia’s shadow fleet, with dramatic footage posted by Visegrád 24. The vessel is now in the port of Zeebrugge. The capture is part of ongoing efforts to cut off Moscow’s revenues from oil sales that fund its war of aggression in Ukraine. French forces also participated in the operation.
BREAKING:
A video has been released of Belgian forces boarding & seizing the Russian shadow fleet oil tanker MV Ethera
It has been taken to the port of Zeebrugge
European countries seizing Russian oil tankers will help collapse Russia’s economy. Congratulations @FranckenTheo! pic.twitter.com/Md3YPAz64d
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) March 1, 2026Belgiam Minister of Defense and Foreign Trade Theo Franken took to social media to praise the country’s military, stating, “Our army was treated with too much ridicule and pity for too long.”
“Due to decades of budget cuts, inadequate societal recognition, a poor self-image, negative image-framing like that of Xavier Waterslaegers, and too passive and risk-averse leadership, I inherited a department lacking in self-respect and pride. I swore to myself that I would turn that tide,” read his post on X.
“Our armed forces would become strong and proud again. Respect is earned by demanding respect. Nothing in life comes for free. You have to work your ass off for everything. Tonight’s operation shows what we’re capable of again. It proves that our armed forces and our soldiers deserve respect from the population. And we will get it too. This is just the beginning. Semper fi.”
France also gave a major assist in the operation, with President Manuel Macron also posted about the event.
A major blow to the shadow fleet: in the North Sea, our French Navy helicopters helped last night in the boarding by Belgian forces of an oil tanker under international sanctions.
Europeans are determined to cut off the sources of funding for Russia’s war of aggression… pic.twitter.com/CnoxyND7BB
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) March 1, 2026“A major blow to the shadow fleet: in the North Sea, our French Navy helicopters helped last night in the boarding by Belgian forces of an oil tanker under international sanctions,” Macron wrote.
