Britain expands powers to board suspected Russian vessels

The United Kingdom has introduced new measures allowing its armed forces and law enforcement agencies to board and intercept vessels linked to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” as they transit through British waters, including the English Channel.

According to a statement published by the British government, the move is part of a broader effort to enforce sanctions and disrupt maritime networks supporting Moscow’s activities in Ukraine.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the policy targets vessels “fueling Russia’s war machine in Ukraine.” He noted that in recent weeks the Royal Navy, working alongside allied partners, has been monitoring such ships, enabling preparations for their interception not only in British waters but also in European and Mediterranean regions.

Starmer added that authorities will take a comprehensive approach when detaining vessels, assessing factors such as onboard equipment, the use of technologies designed to evade monitoring systems, and the potential impact on energy markets. He warned that ship owners, operators and crew members could face criminal prosecution for breaching UK sanctions.

The initiative builds on actions already taken by members of the Joint Expeditionary Force, including Finland, Sweden and Estonia, which have conducted operations against suspected shadow fleet vessels in the Baltic Sea, restricting key maritime routes used for Russian operations.

The UK’s decision is intended to reinforce these coordinated efforts, increasing both the financial and logistical pressure on Moscow.

The effectiveness of such cooperation was illustrated on March 20, when France, with support from the UK, detained the tanker Deyna originating from Murmansk in the Mediterranean Sea on suspicion of operating under a false flag.  

By Tamilla Hasanova