Helsinki, Finland. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he has authorised the British military to board and detain Russian ships in British waters to disrupt a network of vessels the government says helps Moscow export oil despite Western sanctions.
Expanded action against Russia’s “shadow fleet”
Starmer’s decision comes as other European nations, including France, Belgium and Sweden, have stepped up efforts to detain Russia’s so-called shadow fleet of tankers that Moscow uses to fund its four-year war against Ukraine.
Starmer said he approved the more aggressive action because Russian President Vladimir Putin was likely “rubbing his hands” over the sharp rise in oil prices driven by the U.S.-Israel war against Iran. Speaking at a meeting of the Joint Expeditionary Force Summit in Helsinki, Starmer said: “That is why, in my strong view, we should go after the shadow fleet even harder,” and added: “Together we must close off critical sea routes to this vital trade to keep up the pressure on Putin.”
Britain provided intelligence and logistics support this year to the French and U.S. military, who detained Russian vessels, but Starmer’s announcement marks the first time British forces have been authorised to board Russian ships.
Preparation for boardings and potential prosecutions
Downing Street said British military and law enforcement officials have been preparing to board Russian vessels that do not surrender, are armed, or use high-tech pervasive surveillance to evade capture.
Once ships are boarded, Downing Street said criminal proceedings may be brought against the owners, operators and crew for breaches of sanctions legislation.
Potential impact on shipping routes through the Channel
A British official said that, on average over the last year, at least a dozen Russian sanctioned vessels have been passing through the Channel each month.
The official said authorisation to board Russian ships may lead these vessels to avoid the Channel, one of the world’s most vital shipping lanes, forcing them to take longer and more expensive journeys.
How do you think the new UK authorisation could affect the movement of sanctioned Russian vessels through the Channel?