Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Wednesday that Britain's armed forces have been authorized to board and detain vessels from Russia's so-called shadow fleet. This move targets a key revenue source funding the Kremlin's war against Ukraine, according to multiple reports.
Key Takeaways
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer authorized military action to board and detain vessels from Russia's shadow fleet, targeting a key revenue source for Putin's war in Ukraine. The move comes ahead of the Joint Expeditionary Force Summit in Helsinki.
- UK military authorized to seize Russian shadow fleet tankers
- Over 500 ships sanctioned by Britain and EU
- At least 25 sanctioned vessels passed through UK waters since authorization
- Legal challenges and risks cited as potential obstacles
The shadow fleet consists of semi-clandestine tankers used to evade sanctions and ship oil. London has sanctioned at least 544 of these ships, while the EU has blacklisted nearly 600. The fleet is estimated to include anywhere from several hundred to more than 1,000 vessels.
Starmer's announcement comes ahead of his arrival at the Joint Expeditionary Force Summit in Helsinki, Finland, where leaders will discuss regional security amid the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran and how to combat Russia's escalating aggression. He emphasized that this action is not only to keep Britain safe but also to starve Putin's war machine of the dirty profits funding his campaign in Ukraine.
According to 10 Downing Street, a suspect vessel will first be reviewed by law enforcement, military, and energy specialists before any operation is carried out. After detention, criminal proceedings may be brought against the vessel's owners, operators, and crew for breaching British sanctions.
Since the authorization was announced last week, at least 25 sanctioned ships have entered British waters through the Channel as before, according to Reuters analysis of ship tracking data. The British military has not yet boarded any Russian vessels. James Fennell, a former British naval officer, suggested that the government is likely using the threat as a deterrent and will gauge its effect before sanctioning boarding operations.
The Ministry of Defence stated that any enforcement action would be considered on a case-by-case basis and declined to provide further details. Legal experts have raised concerns about the untested legal arguments for seizing these vessels, with some suggesting it could bring Britain 'one step closer to war with Russia'.
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