Get you up to speed: UK Forces to Capture Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Vessels Supporting Ukraine War
Sir Keir Starmer announced that the Royal Navy will begin seizing Russian shadow fleet vessels in UK waters to combat sanction violations amid the war in Ukraine.
Sir Keir Starmer announced the UK’s commitment to seizing shadow fleet vessels, enhancing efforts alongside northern European allies to combat Russian oil sanctions.
Sir Keir Starmer confirmed that the Royal Navy is prepared to seize Russian shadow fleet vessels operating in UK waters as part of ongoing sanctions enforcement.
What we know so far
The Royal Navy will commence seizing Russia’s shadow fleet vessels in UK waters, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced. This initiative forms part of a collaborative effort with northern European allies to intercept tankers that violate sanctions and support Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine.
Starmer stated, “Putin is rubbing his hands at the war in the Middle East because he thinks higher oil prices will let him line his pockets.” He emphasised the importance of targeting these vessels to ensure Britain’s safety and undermine the financial resources sustaining the war.
The UK has already been tracking shadow fleet vessels for several years and has provided support for the seizure of vessels by allied forces. Recently, British assistance led to the seizure of the oil tanker Marinera, formerly known as the Bella-1, by US forces in January.
As part of the Joint Expeditionary Force summit in Helsinki this week, leaders from ten northern European countries, including Denmark and Sweden, will discuss collective security measures against Russian incursions.
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British forces will seize Russian ‘shadow fleet’ ships fuelling Ukraine war | News UK
The Royal Navy will start seizing Russia’s shadow fleet vessels when they slip through UK waters, the prime minister has announced.
Sir Keir Starmer said the UK would join northern European allies in intercepting the tankers as part of a drive to ‘go after’ the sanction-breaking ships fuelling Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine.
He said: ‘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.’
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Moscow’s shadow fleet is reported to be made up of more than a thousand ageing tankers.
They illicitly ship oil and other goods out of Russia by flying the flags of other countries, with the aim of evading sanctions imposed by the West since the conflict began.
The Prime Minister has given approval for the UK to start seizing shadow fleet vessels as he travels to Helsinki, Finland, for a summit with national leaders from the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF).
The JEF, a military coalition of 10 northern European countries led by the UK, aims to defend against Russian incursions.
It also includes Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.
British forces have already been involved in tracking shadow fleet vessels for several years and have supported operations by other countries to seize the ships.
In January, the UK assisted in the seizure of the oil tanker Marinera by the US.
Previously known as the Bella-1, the Russian-flagged vessel was captured by American forces aided by RAF aircraft and the British supply ship RFA Tideforce in the Atlantic.
Later that same month, Royal Navy patrol boat HMS Dagger helped the French seize another sanctioned ship, the Grinch, in the western Mediterranean, shadowing the vessel through the Strait of Gibraltar.
Last week, the French intercepted the Deyna oil tanker in the Mediterranean, supported by the UK.
Libyan authorities have meanwhile towed a suspected shadow fleet oil tanker found drifting in the Mediterranean which was believed to have been hit in a drone strike.
The tanker, carrying liquefied natural gas, was towed to avoid a spill in the Mediterranean.
At the JEF summit, the Prime Minister and other leaders are expected to discuss shared security in the so-called High North and the war in Ukraine.