UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has authorised the country’s armed forces to inspect – and even seize – ships linked to the so‑called Russian “shadow fleet” when they pass through British territorial waters.
According to government sources in the UK, Royal Navy units and special forces will now be able to carry out boarding operations on tankers suspected of helping Russia circumvent Western sanctions by transporting Russian oil.
The Russian “shadow fleet” refers to a large network of ageing tankers with opaque ownership structures used to move Russian oil while avoiding international sanctions. These vessels frequently change flags, disable their tracking systems and conduct ship‑to‑ship transfers, making them extremely difficult to monitor.
It is estimated that the fleet transports up to 75% of Russia’s oil internationally – a factor that, officials note, makes it a critical tool for financing the Russian economy during the war in Ukraine.
Starmer said in a statement: “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."
Shift towards sanctions enforcement
To date, British efforts have mostly focused on tracking, monitoring and providing intelligence to allies. But now the UK would be able to lead more active operations.
Analysts say the move marks a clear shift from merely monitoring the sanctions imposed gradually over the past four years on Russian‑linked companies to actively enforcing them. The new mandate now allows not only inspections but the potential seizure of ships and legal action against companies and crews.
At the same time, they warn that the decision carries risks of escalation between London and Moscow, given that some vessels in the “shadow fleet” reportedly carry armed security or are indirectly linked to Russian state interests. “Any incidents in busy waterways such as the English Channel could lead to tensions between Russia and NATO countries,” experts caution.
The UK, however, appears determined to proceed. Government ministers underline that Russia remains a threat to the West, even if international attention in recent weeks has largely shifted to the war in the Middle East.
Sources: CNA, Politico