Sanctioned Russian Vessels Flood British Waters
Nearly 200 vessels linked to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” have entered British waters since UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced tougher enforcement measures against sanctioned ships in March, according to an investigation by BBC Verify.
The investigation found that between March 25 and May 11, a total of 238 journeys were made by these sanctioned vessels through British waters. Notably, there is no public evidence that any of the ships had been boarded or intercepted during this period. The tracked ships entered the UK’s Exclusive Economic Zone, which extends up to 230 miles (370km) from the coastline, while at least 94 voyages involved vessels briefly entering British territorial waters, which extend 14 miles (23km) from shore.
Oil Tankers Dominate Sanctioned Fleet
According to MarineTraffic, the significant majority of the vessels monitored were oil tankers, totaling 173. The remainder of the fleet included 10 liquefied natural gas carriers and one ship classified as a multipurpose offshore vessel. These oil tankers are believed to be part of Russia’s effort to bypass Western sanctions on oil exports.
Enforcement Efforts Fall Short
Despite the announcement by Starmer, the investigation revealed that there is no evidence of any sanctioned vessels being boarded or intercepted during this period. This lack of enforcement has been criticized by former Royal Navy commander Tom Sharpe, who described it as “utterly confusing” and “pathetic.” Shipping lawyer James M. Turner KC also pointed out that if a ship is operating under a legally recognized flag, there is very little a coastal state can do, regardless of whether the vessel is carrying sanctioned goods or appears on sanctions lists.
Royal Navy Conducts Monitoring Operation
In response to Russia’s shadow fleet, the United Kingdom has intensified efforts to counter this threat. The Royal Navy carried out an extensive monitoring operation involving the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich as it operated near British territorial waters. This mission involved a coordinated effort by three offshore patrol vessels—HMS Tyne, HMS Mersey, and HMS Severn—supported by a Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) tanker and roughly 250 personnel. Throughout April, Wildcat helicopters from the 815 Naval Air Squadron maintained a constant presence, flying daily sorties to track the warship and its accompanying fleet.
The operation gained heightened significance when the Russian vessel reportedly halted near sensitive UK infrastructure, specifically the Galloper offshore wind farm off the coast of Essex. The Royal Navy noted that HMS Tyne took the lead in the operation, logging more hours shadowing the Admiral Grigorovich than any other British vessel.
Original Article: Around 200 Sanctioned Russian Vessels Entered British Waters in Less Than Two Months, Investigation Finds — United24Media