UK forces will be able to board and detain sanctioned vessels transiting British waters under new measures aimed at disrupting Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, the government stated.
The decision allows Royal Navy personnel and law enforcement officers to interdict ships that have been sanctioned by the UK, including those moving through key routes such as the English Channel. It follows recent activity in which UK assets have supported allies in tracking vessels linked to the network in European and Mediterranean waters.
The policy forms part of a wider effort with Joint Expeditionary Force partners, several of whom have already taken action against suspected vessels in the Baltic. By expanding interdiction to UK waters, ministers are seeking to restrict access to major maritime routes and increase operational pressure on operators linked to the fleet.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “We are living in an increasingly volatile and dangerous world, facing threats from different fronts across the world every day. As Prime Minister, my first duty is to keep this country safe and protect British interests here and abroad. Putin is rubbing his hands at the war in the Middle East because he thinks higher oil prices will let him line his pockets. That’s why we’re going after his shadow fleet even harder, not just keeping Britain safe but starving Putin’s war machine of the dirty profits that fund his barbaric campaign in Ukraine. He and his cronies should be in no doubt, we will always defend our sovereignty and stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.”
Operational planning has included preparations for boarding non-compliant or potentially hostile vessels, with military and law enforcement teams exercising against a range of scenarios in recent weeks. Each potential interdiction will be assessed on a case-by-case basis before ministers authorise action, with the possibility of criminal proceedings against those found in breach of UK sanctions.
Alongside allies, the UK has already sanctioned hundreds of vessels linked to the network, with further coordination expected as partners seek to tighten enforcement measures across northern European waters.
We should have been doing this a long time ago also after the ship has been escorted to a UK port its cargo should be off loaded and along with the ship sold in the open market and the proceeds helping to fund the Ukrainian war effort.
And given that we shadow Russian ship movements through the Channel using OPVs in their last years of service, doesn’t someone think we should have a policy as to what to do when they are gone? Besides the genius idea of using new frigates to do presence work abroad and bringing the River B2s back to the UK, getting us £50m worth of effect for each £400m worth of new ship.
And yet, a Russian shadow tanker sailed through the Channel the other day, and we did nothing.
Maybe because it was escorted by a Russian warship.
I still rub my eyes in disbelief at the utter garbage that Kier Starmer speaks.
Did he actually say all that?!
Your actions regards Defence are the absolute opposite, PM.
Lets see….
“Threats from across the world, every day…”
Yet you go on about NATO first and are withdrawing what conventional forces we have left back to Europe with less attention elsewhere. Contradiction.
“My first duty is to keep rhis country safe….”
Nonsense, your first duty is to your lawyer mates and the ideology of your party backbenchers, as you backdoor and U turn whenever they get their hackles up.
How many of those Afghans did you vet before they arrived here after relocation? How many economic migrants have arrived illegally and then have killed or assaulted people? Safe?
Are those examples of that?
Are you keeping the country safe, or safeguarding your vote base?
Are you keeping the armed forces safe constantly keeping them overstretched aa you relentlessly cut their assets?
“We’re going after his shadow fleet even harder.”
Where? Give one example where HM forces have stopped and boarded?
The rest of that statement is flannel and stating the bleeding obvious.
Ireland is introducing the same legislation in lock step with the UK on this currently.