Russia’s ambassador has warned of measures after PM Keir Starmer authorised UK forces to board Putin’s shadow fleet vessels transporting Russian oil in British waters
Russia has issued a warning that it will retaliate to any attempts by the British authorities to board Putin’s shadow fleet ships. “Appropriate measures are being drawn up,” stated Andrei Kelin, Russia’s ambassador to London. “Let this come as a surprise to the British.”
This threat follows Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s authorisation for military and law enforcement agencies to intercept Russian shadow fleet vessels subject to sanctions in British waters.
The action is aimed at a network of ships – often old and uninsured with unclear ownership – which are actively supporting Putin’s war in Ukraine by transporting Russian oil while evading Western sanctions.
Approximately 75% of Russia’s crude oil is transported by Putin’s dilapidated and aging fleet of ships. Alongside allies, the UK has imposed sanctions on 544 Russian shadow fleet vessels, reports the Mirror.
Last week, Mr Starmer agreed that UK forces will be permitted to board vessels that have been sanctioned by the UK and are passing through its waters.
“We are living in an increasingly volatile and dangerous world, facing threats from different fronts across the world every day,” he said. “As Prime Minister, my first duty is to keep this country safe and protect British interests here and abroad.
“Putin is rubbing his hands at the war in the Middle East because he thinks higher oil prices will let him 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 and his cronies should be in no doubt, we will always defend our sovereignty and stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.”
The Prime Minister’s declaration comes after the Royal Navy assisted allies with surveillance and monitoring of numerous shadow fleet vessels to enable interception in European and Mediterranean waters during recent weeks.
Several JEF partners, including Finland, Sweden and Estonia, have undertaken recent operations targeting suspected unlawful shadow fleet ships in the Baltic, blocking vital maritime pathways to Russia’s malicious activities.
“By joining JEF partners in interdicting shadow fleet vessels, the UK will put a further stranglehold on the shadow fleet, closing off UK waters, including the Channel, for sanctioned vessels,” the UK government said.
“This will in turn force operators to either divert to longer, financially painful routes, or risk being detained by British forces.”