Starmer authorizes military to interdict Russian shadow fleet vessels in UK waters

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has authorized British military personnel to interdict vessels from Russia's shadow fleet in UK waters as part of efforts to increase pressure on Putin's regime.

The UK government said this in a press release seen by Ukrinform.

"The Prime Minister has agreed that the UK Armed Forces and law enforcement officers will now be able to interdict vessels that have been sanctioned by the UK and are transiting through UK waters. […] The move is the latest blow to Russia's shadow fleet, which is fueling Putin's barbaric war in Ukraine," the statement said.

It emphasizes that the move is intended to effectively close off UK waters, including the English Channel, for sanctioned vessels, forcing their owners either to divert to longer, financially painful routes or risk being detained by British forces.

Starmer's office noted that each target ship will be individually considered by law enforcement, military and energy market specialists before a recommendation is made to ministers and an operation is executed.

"Following the detention of a ship, criminal proceedings may be brought against the against the owners, operators and crew, for breaches of UK sanctions legislation," the statement reads.

Commenting on the decision, Starmer said the world is becoming increasingly volatile and dangerous, and his first duty as Prime Minister is to ensure the security of the United Kingdom and protect its interests.

"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," Starmer said.

The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on 544 vessels linked to Russia's shadow fleet. Ahead of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) summit in Helsinki on March 26, Starmer's office called on other members of the group to strengthen coordination in countering the Russian shadow fleet.

Established in 2014 under UK leadership, the Joint Expeditionary Force is a regional defense coalition of ten Northern European countries: the United Kingdom, Denmark, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Estonia. Member states regularly conduct joint military exercises to improve rapid response capabilities in the region.

Illustrative photo: Shaah Shahidh on Unsplash