For the moment, though, European and American security experts are more interested in another matter: what cargo a Russian vessel, Arctic Sea, was carrying when it vanished in closely monitored European waters, why a journalist who alerted the world to its disappearance had to flee Russia and why Binyamin Netanyahu, Israel's prime minister, paid an urgent and secret visit to Moscow just a few days later.

ECONOMIST: Russia's political leaders

The steel vessel is double-hulled and designed for drilling in Arctic waters.

CNN: Shell: Grounded drilling rig sound and fit to be towed

As much as 150, 000 gallons of ultra-low sulfur diesel and about 12, 000 gallons of other petroleum products are on board the Kulluk, a double-hulled steel vessel with a helicopter landing pad and tower in the middle designed for drilling in Arctic waters.

CNN: Alaska drilling rig towed to harbor off Kodiak Island