Dozens of protesters gathered beside Copenhagen’s Marble Church on Thursday, 1 October, calling on Danish shipyard Fayard to stop repairing the specialised tankers that carry liquefied natural gas from Russia’s Yamal project.
Organised by the Association of Ukrainians in Denmark and Urgewald, with support from Razom We Stand and B4Ukraine, the protest took place outside a property acquired by FA Invest, part of the Fayard group, at Frederiksgade 1 / Store Kongensgade 88. Danish media have reported that the property is valued at around DKK 100 million.
Dr Svitlana Romanko, Founder and Executive Director of Razom We Stand, said:
“While Ukrainians fight for their homes and for freedom, Fayard keeps repairing the tankers that carry the gas exports funding Russia’s brutal attacks on us every day. Damen shipyard in France has stopped work on these ships. Fayard in Denmark must stop too.”
Carrying Ukrainian flags, banners and placards, protesters drew a contrast between the Copenhagen property and the homes Ukrainians are fighting to protect.
Arc7 tankers are critical to keeping Russia’s Yamal LNG exports moving. Built to navigate the heavy sea ice surrounding the Yamal Peninsula, they enable gas to be shipped from the project throughout the year. These highly specialised vessels depend on regular maintenance, meaning repairs carried out in Denmark can help sustain Russian Arctic LNG exports for years to come.
The Hands Off the Arc7 Fleet briefing, published by Urgewald, B4Ukraine and Razom We Stand, identifies Fayard as the last known EU shipyard still routinely maintaining these vessels, after Damen Shiprepair Brest stopped servicing them in 2024.
Since late June, Fayard has received Rudolf Samoylovich, Georgiy Brusilov and Boris Davydov for maintenance. On 24 September, Danwatch reported that a fourth tanker, Nikolay Yevgenov, was also undergoing service at the yard.
Fayard has continued to accept Arc7 tankers despite calls from more than 100 European lawmakers to stop. Ukraine’s sanctions chief, Vladyslav Vlasiuk, has also criticised the shipyard’s role. Fayard says its current work complies with applicable rules. Protesters are calling on the company to refuse further Arc7 repairs.
Alexander Kirk, protest organiser and Sanctions Campaigner at Urgewald, said:
“Enough is enough. Denmark faces a growing security threat from Russia, yet Fayard continues to repair tankers that keep Russian Arctic LNG moving while also servicing Danish naval vessels. That is a glaring security contradiction. Fayard should stop servicing the Arc7 fleet now.”
Oleksii Kopylov, Chairman of the Association of Ukrainians in Denmark, said:
“Fayard has chosen to make money from Russian LNG while Russia wages its war against Ukraine. The company may call this business, but Ukrainians know what stands behind that business: Russian energy revenues and Ukrainian blood. Fayard should stop servicing Russian LNG vessels.”
Jens Alstrup, Chairman of Freedom for Ukraine, said:
“Fayard’s service of the LNG fleet is a blemish on Danish support for Ukraine. We will continue to pressure Fayard to stop.”
