In a written question, Lord West of Spithead asked why Maritime Counter-Terrorism forces were not being used to stop vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet when transiting the Channel or other waters close to the UK.
Responding on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, Defence Minister Lord Coaker did not directly address the use of specialist boarding forces, instead emphasising broader efforts to counter sanctions evasion and illegal maritime activity.
He said the UK was “committed to countering the Russian Shadow Fleet”, describing it as “a web of rising shadow activity that fuels and finances nefarious activity across the globe” and supports Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The minister stated that the UK had already sanctioned more than 500 vessels and was working “in concert with our allies and partners” to intensify action against sanctions-busting activity, while also operating within the framework of international maritime law.
However, the response did not explain why Maritime Counter-Terrorism forces are not currently being used for interdiction operations, nor did it rule out their use in future. Instead, Lord Coaker said the government would use “the range of tools at our disposal” to crack down on shadow fleet activity, while upholding the international law of the sea.
If trump said this, it would be 24/7 headlines on the BBC.
It’s an answer to a parliamentary question not a strategic announcement, not is it a press release.
Get a grip
Time to stop pussyfooting around. Seize every single Russian shadow fleet ship we can. Starve them of oil exports.
UNCLOS is the reason.
If its not flagged or false flagged you can board it.
If its a legit flag you cannot board.
Do an illegal boarding and ivan will retaliate and lawfare the UK for compo and probably win…
Morning GB, what’s the deal with the actual confiscated oil? Can that legally be resold and used and who are the legal parties in selling it? And how long can you hold a tanker ship in quarantine as I can’t imagine that could go on indefinitely?
There’s even got to be some risk of sabotage and even deliberate pollution with these tankers?
By not using “specialist boarding forces”, the UK looks weak and feeble! Enough of this weak leadership! We are either helping Ukraine or we’re not! Stop the boats, flog the oil and give the proceeds to Ukraine, starve Russia of cash, and help end the war!
Simples!!
People should give it a break, the UK is neither weak nor feeble, When trump backed down on his pathetic comments about NATO forces in Afghanistan, he only mentioned UK forces and not other European forces, why was that?? he received a call from the UK, and trump doesn’t want to upset the King. When people stand up to trump he folds like a cheap suit, that’s being weak.
When other countries were undecided about supporting Ukraine it was the UK that was the first country to provide weapons and training, not the US and not other European countries.
When Putin talked about red lines, which country stepped over them first?? that’s right the UK did, not the US.
The UK has been pissing in Russia’s Corn Flakes since the 1800’s and they are still doing it
So the UK isn’t boarding shadow fleet vessels, well boo fucking hoo, get over it
Who do Russia view as their biggest enemy?? it’s not the US it’s the UK and they have very good reason’s for thinking that
It was actually the US and UK, working off the same intelligence. Most of the world at that point was still in denial that the invasion would even occur. The German BND chief was caught on the ground when his flight cancelled.
The US flew in 12,000 javelins before the invasion took place, and gave ISR data to the Ukrainians on the flight path of the VDV raid on Kiev.
No revisionist history necessary.
No, the U.S. did not fly in 12,000 Javelin missiles before Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022. While the United States provided some 300 Javelins to Ukraine, the vast majority of that total was delivered after the invasion began as part of urgent military aid packages.
The Uk was the first country to provide lethal military aid, first country to agree to send Main Battle Tanks, first country to provide long range cruise missiles, first country to provide training program on its own soil
And the French intell chief resigned, I recall?
Neither have full access to 5 Eyes like UK USA do, which many here will happily throw away or don’t even know exist, due to the idiot in the White House.
Sure, and people forget that when Trump was in office the first time around all the US military aid given to Ukraine was conditional upon Zelensky handing over dirt on Hunter Biden.
When Biden was in office, what did he offer Zelensky, that’s right not weapons, but a ride out of Ukraine.
Boris love him or hate him, offered economic and military aid to Ukraine
Every time Putin threatened red lines or the use of nukes, Biden hesitated, the UK did not, they crossed Every Red Line
And now we are back to Trump, putins friend, all the help from the US is transactional at best, the US take more from Ukraine then they put in, those are Trumps words.
And now there is talk of a peace deal, who will benefit from that??
The EU will take all the juicy rebuilding contracts, the US has already secured it’s pound of flesh.
And us? Muppets who were there first like you say, in all areas, and get a pat on the back and “morally did the right thing.”?
It will be the UK and France that get to put troops on the ground, their job will be to protect and provide security to the rebuilt infrastructure, that’s it
Totally correct. Russia does see the UK as an inveterate, influential and capable opponent – a point we will shortly re-inforce when HMS Glasgow commences sea trials – something I predict will happen in good time for the Scottish Parliament elections in May 🙂