UK to Intercept Russian “Shadow Fleet” Ships in Its Waters

The UK has authorized its military and law enforcement agencies to intercept ships from Russia’s “shadow fleet” in its territorial waters.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer approved the decision, according to the British government.

The move is intended to tighten pressure on exports of sanctioned oil, whose sales revenues Russia uses to fund its war against Ukraine.

Under this decision, military personnel are authorized to board, inspect, and, if necessary, detain vessels that are part of Russia’s “shadow fleet,” are under UK sanctions, and pass through British territorial waters.

This move means that Russian ships seeking to avoid detention will have to steer clear of British waters, such as the English Channel, thereby increasing shipping costs.

The government said that British military personnel and law enforcement officers have undergone training in recent weeks for various scenarios. These include boarding vessels that refuse to comply with orders, are armed, or use advanced methods to evade detention.

This follows recent operations in which the Royal Navy supported allies in monitoring and tracking several “shadow fleet” vessels to ensure their interception in European and Mediterranean waters.

Each vessel will be assessed individually before interception by law enforcement agencies, the military, and energy market experts.

After a ship is detained, its owners, operators, and crew may face criminal proceedings for violating UK sanctions laws.

Russia’s response

A day earlier, Nikolai Patrushev, an aide to the Russian president and head of the Maritime Board, said that Russia plans to introduce a system of escorting its flag vessels with mobile armed units.

These units are intended for rapid response to attempts to seize or attack ships on the high seas.

Russia has also started placing former mercenaries and intelligence operatives on “shadow fleet” vessels that transport crude oil.