Edition No179 | 05-07-2025 - The number of incidents befalling Russia’s sanctions-busting grey fleet of oil tankers is increasing. Is a pattern emerging, or are these accidents inevitable for a vast fleet of vessels that have outlived their mandated lifespans? Or is Ukraine enforcing oil sanctions in the only way that works – by physically disabling Russian ships on the high seas? Today, we will revisit the topic of oil sanctions by other means — and ask if grey fleet incidents, are covert military cover, and the strategic pain that may be inflicted on Moscow’s war machine. We dig deeper into each maritime event, unpack Europe’s response, and trace the illicit oil trading that is bringing in vast sums of money to power Putin’s war machine.----------DESCRIPTION:Targeting Russia’s Gray Fleet: An Inside Look at Covert Maritime WarfareIn this episode of Silicon Bites, we delve into the targeting of Russia’s 'gray fleet'—a clandestine fleet of oil tankers sustaining Putin’s economy and war efforts. We examine various incidents involving these vessels, potential acts of sabotage, and how Ukraine and Europe are responding. Detailed events such as the Eagle S incident, the Koala’s hull blast, and mediteranean attacks on Sea Charm, Sea Jewel, and Grace Phem are discussed. Additionally, we analyze the strategic economic impact of these actions and the need for a united NATO and EU stance to choke off Russia's illegal oil trade support, implicating higher necessary pressure on Putin’s war economy.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to Russia's Gray Fleet01:43 Incidents Involving Russian Ships04:58 European Response to the Gray Fleet06:28 Russia's Countermeasures11:33 Strategic Importance and Conclusion----------LINKS: https://www.ft.com/content/b2671301-d71f-4781-8d8d-86f7b350ff3c https://www.reuters.com/world/germany-launches-additional-measures-against-russias-shadow-fleet-2025-07-01/https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/key-points-about-russias-shadow-fleet-oil-tankers-2025-05-15/ https://apnews.com/article/5e74109e5b1d84dc73ac2592068d4689 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/18/eu-foreign-ministers-call-for-coordinated-action-on-russian-shadow-fleet-in-baltic-sea https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/05/20/russia-shadow-fleet-sanctions-baltic-sea/ ----------Car for Ukraine has once again joined forces with a group of influencers, creators, and news observers during this summer. Sunshine here serves as a metaphor, the trucks are a sunshine for our warriors to bring them to where they need to be and out from the place they don't.https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/summer-sunshine-silicon-curtainThis time, we focus on the 6th Detachment of HUR, 93rd Alcatraz, 3rd Brigade, MLRS systems and more. https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/summer-sunshine-silicon-curtain- bring soldiers to the positions- protect them with armor- deploy troops with drones to the positions----------SILICON CURTAIN FILM FUNDRAISERA project to make a documentary film in Ukraine, to raise awareness of Ukraine's struggle and in supporting a team running aid convoys to Ukraine's front-line towns.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgkharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyslhttps://kharpp.com-----------