UK Forces Board Russian Ships: Shadow Fleet Probe

The United Kingdom is preparing to board and detain vessels suspected of breaching sanctions against Russia, as ministers continue to emphasize the ongoing threat posed by Moscow despite the focus on the war in the Middle East. The move comes as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrived in Finland for the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) summit in Helsinki.

UK Prepares to Board Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Vessels

Royal Navy personnel have been supporting Finland, Sweden, and Estonia in monitoring and tracking vessels believed to be part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” in recent weeks. While no UK military personnel have yet boarded any vessels, senior government figures are actively seeking to initiate such operations.

Specialist military units have completed training exercises simulating various scenarios, including potential encounters with armed crews. Officials are operating under the assumption that the first boarding and detention operation will occur in the near future, potentially involving the Special Boat Service and the Royal Marines depending on anticipated resistance.

The government estimates that approximately 75% of Russia’s crude oil is transported via aging ships, and has already imposed sanctions on 544 vessels thought to be part of the shadow fleet. Ship-tracking technology is being utilized to identify sanctioned vessels approaching UK waters weeks in advance, allowing military planners and defense officials to prioritize targets for boarding and detention.

Earlier this year, British armed forces assisted U.S. troops in seizing the Marinera oil tanker, accused of violating sanctions by carrying oil for Venezuela, Russia, and Iran. Following this operation, British ministers began exploring options for UK-led operations against sanctioned vessels in British waters.

Government lawyers have identified the Sanctions and Money Laundering Act of 2018 as providing a legal basis for the use of military force in such operations. However, analysis by BBC Verify indicated that numerous sanctioned vessels traversed the English Channel in the weeks following this legal determination.

The Defence Secretary, John Healey, and the Attorney General, Lord Hermer, recently met with their JEF counterparts to discuss the legal implications of various scenarios. Speaking ahead of the JEF summit, Prime Minister Sunak stated the world is “increasingly volatile and dangerous,” adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin is “rubbing his hands” at the war in the Middle East, anticipating higher oil prices to fund his war efforts in Ukraine.

Sunak affirmed the commitment to “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.” A Conservative Party spokesperson stated that any effort to prevent sanctioned ships from entering UK waters is important, while criticizing Labour’s perceived lack of support for the armed forces.