Britain may sell oil seized from Russia's shadow fleet to fund Ukraine – The Times

The UK government is considering plans to use any oil seized from vessels of Russia's shadow fleet to help finance Ukraine's war effort.

That is according to The Times, citing a government source, Ukrinform reports.

The options under discussion would not only halt revenue flows to Russia's military machine but also redirect proceeds from the sale of sanctioned oil to Ukraine.

"There would be a double impact on Russia's war machine – we wouldn't just be depriving them of illicit war revenues but also finding a way to help fund Ukraine's resistance," the source said.

On Tuesday, the newspaper revealed that elite British military units were being prepared to board and capture "shadow fleet" vessels as part of intensified economic pressure on the Kremlin.

Specialist troops with training in helicopter-based ship assaults and crew detention could be deployed against the vessels. The UK government is said to have established legal grounds for such raids, which could ultimately extend to hundreds of illicit tankers operating within Russia's shadow fleet network.

Over the past two weeks, amid intensified efforts by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration to block Venezuelan oil exports, more than 15 tankers carrying sanctioned oil have switched their flags to Russian.

Photo: Stefan Sauer / dpa / picture alliance