Fears are rising that the English Channel could become embroiled in an overspill of the Ukraine war after a Russian tanker was attacked in the Mediterranean.
Ukraine's campaign of sea-drone strikes against Russian oil tankers has now spread beyond the Black Sea - with an Oman-flagged "shadow fleet" vessel hit on Friday.
Experts now warn that sanctioned tankers could now be targeted anywhere along their routes - raising concerns for vessels passing through the English Channel.
Shadow fleet ships leaving the Baltic Sea travel through the strait on their way around the world - and the Royal Navy has been forced to monitor Russian vessels in the Channel already as a result.
"The Ukrainians are now operating across a much wider area. If you're a shadow fleet vessel then there's now a risk wherever you are," said Matthew Wright of trade intelligence firm Kpler.
"You get shadow fleet vessels that come out of the Baltic Sea, they are essentially going through the North Sea. The threat to them is now higher."
Russia's shadow fleet comprises nearly 1,000 tankers that transport crude and refined oil to buyers, mainly in India and China.
These vessels often operate under false flags with unclear ownership structures.
Experts now warn that sanctioned tankers could now be targeted anywhere along their routes - raising concerns for vessels passing through the English Channel
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Around 600 of these ships carry only Russian oil, bringing them within the scope of Western sanctions.
A further 350 or so transport Russian cargo alongside other oil.
Over the past month, Ukraine has struck three shadow tankers in the Black Sea using drones.
A suspected limpet-mine explosion off Senegal's coast is also believed to be linked to Ukrainian operations.
The expanding attacks may force some ship owners to reconsider whether working for Vladimir Putin remains worthwhile given the growing dangers.
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A suspected limpet-mine explosion off Senegal's coast is also believed to be linked to Volodymyr Zelensky's operations
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Michelle Bockmann from maritime data firm Windward noted that Ukraine appears to be focusing on empty tankers to prevent environmental catastrophe.
However, these strikes could still impose enormous costs on vessel operators.
"Marine insurers have been saying for quite a while now that one of these vessels, if they have a casualty, especially if they go through the English Channel, that they're a billion-dollar marine accident waiting to happen," she said.
"Ukraine is aware of this risk, and I think that's why this is a new strategy, an evolving strategy, and definitely one to watch."
Ukrainian security sources have defended the attacks on Vladimir Putin's 'shadow fleet' as legitimate military action
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Ukrainian security sources have defended the attacks as legitimate military action.
They told local media that the targeted tanker was helping Russia evade sanctions and generate funds for its war effort.
"The aggressor state used this tanker to circumvent sanctions and earn money that was used for the war against Ukraine," the sources were quoted as saying.
"Therefore... this is an absolutely legitimate target. The enemy must understand that Ukraine will not stop, and will beat him anywhere in the world."
The UN's International Maritime Organisation has called for restraint amid the escalating situation.
Secretary-general Arsenio Dominguez urged all parties to avoid targeting seafarers, port workers and merchant vessels.
"Shipping should not be used as collateral in geopolitical situations and there is an increased environmental risk developing," he said.
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