British Forces Authorized to Seize Russian Shadow Fleet Vessels in UK Waters
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has given military forces the green light to board Russia’s “shadow fleet” of sanctioned commercial vessels if they pass through U.K. waters. The announcement was made on Thursday at the Joint Expeditionary Force Summit in Helsinki, where Starmer emphasized the need for collective action against Russian aggression.
The JEF is a U.K.-led political and military partnership aimed at strengthening European unity within the broader NATO framework. Several member states, including Finland, Sweden, and Estonia, have already carried out operations against suspected shadow fleet vessels operating in the Baltic, British officials said.
Russia’s Aging Fleet and Sanctions
At least 75% of Russia’s crude oil is transported by Moscow’s decrepit and aging fleet of ships. The U.K. and its allies have imposed sanctions on at least 544 Russian shadow fleet vessels. This move is seen as a significant blow to Russia’s ability to fund its barbaric war in Ukraine.
“The move is the latest blow to Russia’s shadow fleet, which is fueling Putin’s barbaric war in Ukraine,” British officials said. The U.K.’s decision to authorize military action against Russian vessels comes as the country seeks to strengthen its maritime trade and protect its interests in the Arctic and High North.
UK Dependence on Maritime Trade
As an island nation built on maritime trade, the U.K. depends on the Arctic and High North for its prosperity. The region is the only place where Russia, through its formidable Northern Fleet, can directly threaten the lifelines that sustain and protect British residents: food, energy, undersea data cables, and the sea lines of communication that connect the U.S. to Europe.
The British military has been tracking the Russian shadow fleet for several years. Following the U.S. seizure of the sanctioned oil tanker Bella-1 in January, U.K. government officials ordered the development of plans and options to carry out similar operations against other Russian shadow fleet vessels.
Starmer’s Remarks on Putin’s War Machine
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized that Russia’s war machine is fueled by higher oil prices, which would allow President Vladimir Putin to 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 said.
The British military has been put through their paces in preparation for any suspected shadow fleet vessels in U.K. waters. They’ve gone through training scenarios in recent weeks, including boarding vessels that don‘t surrender or are armed. “Each target ship will be individually considered by law enforcement, military, and energy market specialists before a recommendation is made to ministers and an operation is executed,” British officials said.
Following the detention of a ship, criminal proceedings may be brought against the owners, operators, and crew for breaches of U.K. sanctions legislation.
Original Article: U.K.’s Starmer approves British forces seizing Russian ‘shadow fleet’ of illegal oil tankers — Washingtontimes