UK Warns It Will Act Lawfully Against Russia Shadow Fleet
The United Kingdom government told lawmakers it is prepared to act lawfully against the Russia shadow fleet as part of efforts to choke off oil revenues that fund Moscow’s war in Ukraine, Foreign Office Minister Stephen Doughty said in the House of Commons on January 15.
In a Commons debate focused on Ukraine policy and sanctions enforcement, Doughty said the UK has already sanctioned more than 900 individuals, entities and ships under its Russia sanctions regime, including roughly 520 oil tankers linked to the shadow fleet.
He noted recent cooperation with the United States, including support for the interception of the sanctioned vessel Bella 1 in the North Atlantic en route to Russia.
Lawful Enforcement and Sanctions
Doughty stressed the UK will use regulatory and interdiction powers available under current law as part of its response. He did not outline operational details but said actions would remain within legal frameworks.
The minister said the aim is to make exporting Russian oil riskier for Moscow by squeezing its hard currency flows and reducing funds available for its war economy.
UK sanctions against shadow fleet vessels are part of broader efforts by London to target loopholes used by Russian oil tankers to evade restrictions, including measures to discourage third-country engagement and share information with partners.
Context: Shadow Fleet and Sanctions
The so-called shadow fleet consists of vessels that transport Russian oil and related products while seeking to avoid Western sanctions. Many are uninsured or use deceptive practices to bypass international restrictions. Western governments including the UK have expanded sanctions packages targeting these ships, with the UK barring dozens of vessels from UK ports and maritime services under its sanctions regime.
Sanctions are intended to cut off a source of funding that has generated an estimated tens of billions of dollars annually for Russia since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
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