The BBC, the state broadcaster, has reported that London is reportedly planning to deploy forces to target what it describes as Moscow’s “shadow fleet.”
According to the state broadcaster BBC, the British government believes it has identified a legal method for its military to seize any vessels in UK waters that are suspected of being part of a so-called ‘shadow fleet’.
The report indicates that the action is anticipated to target Russia, Iran, and Venezuela, which the UK alleges utilize third-party vessels to evade Western sanctions.
Britain’s 2018 Sanctions and Money Laundering Act originally permitted London to impose sanctions in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions, but was subsequently expanded to enable targeting of entities accused by London of human rights violations.
The legislation states that the government may detain “specified ships” in its territorial waters or bar them from entry. This could impact vessels transiting the English Channel—one of the world’s busiest maritime routes. The law also stipulates that any ships may be targeted, with the exception of foreign naval vessels. However, the legislation does not explicitly reference the deployment of military force.
The BBC reports that the timing of any UK operation targeting a foreign vessel remains uncertain. The broadcaster noted that British forces have not yet boarded any vessels, though the UK did assist the United States in seizing the ‘Marinera’ oil tanker last week.
The vessel was intercepted in international waters to the northwest of Scotland. Moscow, which had issued the tanker a temporary sailing permit, denounced the seizure as a serious breach of international regulations.
Following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Western governments have implemented comprehensive sanctions against Russia, with particular focus on its oil trade and what they term its “shadow fleet”.
The BBC reports that London has applied restrictions to over 500 suspected “shadow fleet” vessels. Additionally, according to a June report from the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), the UK imported oil products from refineries processing Russian crude oil valued at £3 billion ($4.04 billion) between 2022 and the second quarter of 2025. This trade generated £510 million ($687 million) in revenue for Moscow.