UK Forces Ready to Board Russian Shadow Fleet Ships
Keir Starmer backs action on Russia’s shadow fleet as UK forces prepare to board ships, escalating the geopolitical tensions in global waters.
The British military is engaged in advanced preparations to board and detain vessels belonging to Russia's so-called 'shadow fleet,' following the Prime Minister's authorization of military action against these ships.
Russia stands accused of operating vessels without any valid national flag in an effort to circumvent oil sanctions and help fund its war in Ukraine.
In January, ministers identified a legal basis that would permit the military to board sanctioned vessels present within UK territorial waters; it is understood that the first such operation is set to commence shortly.
Sir Keir Starmer stated that this move would "deprive Putin's war machine of the 'dirty profits' that finance his barbaric campaign."
Ministers are keen to underscore the persistent threat posed by Russia, even as Whitehall's attention has largely been focused on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East in recent weeks.
Read Also
Authorization to board the vessels was granted as the Prime Minister arrived in Finland to attend the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) summit being held in Helsinki. The JEF is a military alliance comprising Northern European nations. Starmer is scheduled to address the summit on Thursday.
In recent weeks, Royal Navy personnel have provided assistance to several nations—including Finland, Sweden, and Estonia—in monitoring and tracking vessels belonging to the 'shadow fleet.'
No UK military personnel have yet boarded a vessel to take action, but senior government officials are eager to change this situation.
Specialized military units have been conducting exercises—or 'wargaming'—various scenarios in recent weeks, including methods for engaging with armed crews. It is understood that this training has now been completed, and Ministry of Defence officials are operating on the assumption that the first such operation will commence as soon as possible.
The units involved in this operation could include the 'Special Boat Service' and the 'Royal Marines'; this will depend on the level of resistance anticipated from the crews aboard the 'shadow vessels.'
The government estimates that approximately 75% of Russia's crude oil is transported via aging vessels; on this basis, the government has imposed sanctions on 544 such ships suspected of being part of the 'shadow fleet.'
Software Services
 |
Start your own gaming platform for just $3,000 |
By utilizing ship-tracking technology, it is possible to identify which sanctioned vessels are heading toward UK territorial waters—and this intelligence can be obtained several weeks prior to their arrival.
It is understood that military planners and defense officials are continuously monitoring these tracking systems to identify the specific vessels that will be boarded and detained first.
Earlier this year, British armed forces provided assistance to US troops in seizing an oil tanker named the 'Marinera.' US officials had accused this tanker of violating sanctions by transporting oil on behalf of Venezuela, Russia, and Iran. Subsequently, ministers began exploring how the British military could conduct similar operations against sanctioned vessels transiting through UK waters.
Government lawyers have identified the 2018 'Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act' as the legal basis authorizing the use of military force.
Read Also
Defence Secretary John Healey and Attorney General Lord Hermer have met with their counterparts in the 'Joint Expeditionary Force' (JEF) in recent weeks to review the precise legal implications arising from various scenarios. Speaking ahead of the JEF summit, Starmer stated that the world is becoming "increasingly unstable and dangerous."
He added: "Putin is privately gloating over the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, believing that rising oil prices will line his own pockets.
"That is why we are taking even tougher action against his 'shadow fleet'; in doing so, we are not only keeping Britain safe but also depriving Putin's war machine of the 'dirty profits' that fund his brutal campaign in Ukraine."
A Conservative Party spokesperson said: "Any effort to keep sanctioned vessels out of our waters is significant.
"However, the Labour Party's failure to provide our armed forces with the necessary resources makes it abundantly clear that they remain deluded regarding the scale of the threats facing our country."
Thank you for reading this content.
Thank you for reading this content.
What's Your Reaction?
Like
0
Dislike
0
Love
0
Funny
0
Angry
0
Sad
0
Wow
0
