UK Military Authorized to Board Russian Oil Tankers in British Waters

The UK government has authorized its military to board and detain Russian oil tankers in British waters, aiming to disrupt Moscow's 'shadow fleet' that evades Western sanctions. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the decision, stating that Russian President Vladimir Putin is likely 'rubbing his hands' over the sharp rise in oil prices driven by the U.S.-Israel war against Iran.

The 'shadow fleet' comprises over a thousand aging tankers that illicitly transport oil and other goods out of Russia by flying the flags of other countries, circumventing sanctions imposed by the West since the invasion of Ukraine. The UK has sanctioned more than 500 vessels identified as part of these networks.

British forces have previously supported operations by other countries to seize such ships. In January, the UK assisted the United States in seizing the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera in the North Atlantic. Additionally, the UK provided tracking and monitoring support for a French operation to board a sanctioned Russian oil tanker in the western Mediterranean.

The authorization 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, more expensive journeys. This move aligns with actions by other European nations, including France, Belgium, and Sweden, which have stepped up efforts to detain Russia's 'shadow fleet' of tankers used to fund its ongoing war against Ukraine.