The UK has announced its preparedness to confront Russian ‘shadow fleet’ shipping operating in UK waters, including boarding and seizing ships if necessary.
The move comes amid a notable rise in the presence of such vessels in and around UK waters. This is likely largely due to increased Russian demands for access through the Baltic Sea and beyond from its ports in Kaliningrad and Leningrad.
The challenge that vessels such as the ‘shadow fleet’ pose to the international community is their suspected use in illicit exports of Russian trade, including oil, which are subject to sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. These ships are believed to carry out these operations by sailing under false or invalid national flags.
The UK’s move also follows several months of preparatory work. This included, first, establishing a legal framework for conducting any military activity. According to BBC reports, this framework is provided by the UK’s 2018 Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act.
Preparations also involved discussions with allies. The UK has already supported France and the United States in their national efforts to carry out ‘shadow fleet’ boardings. Furthermore, the UK has been working very closely with countries, particularly around the Baltic, including Estonia, Finland, and Sweden.
Regarding military preparations, the UK Royal Navy (RN) has two naval service units – the Royal Marines Commandos and the Special Boat Service – that provide the capability and capacity in equipment, experience, skills, and training to carry out such operations. Essentially, these operations will involve vessel visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) activities.
The circumstances surrounding such operations could be challenging: the ship crews may be uncooperative, and ‘shadow fleet’ ships are sometimes escorted by Russian naval vessels.
In announcing the UK’s readiness to carry out such operations, the Secretary of State for Defence, John Healey, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, on 26 March, that the preparatory work was based on establishing the legal framework at the start of 2026.
“What operations like this require is training, preparation, understanding discussion with allies, [and] a clear legal basis, like every military action we take: that legal basis [and] the military options are now lined up and ready,” said Healey. “It’s a signal that we will take action.”
The UK’s move might also send a broader deterrence message to Russia, especially as the international community is currently focused on events in and around the Gulf. “We have seen Russian oil revenues fall by one quarter [since October 2024], but particularly now, when [Russian president Vladimir] Putin may want to take advantage of a distraction of the Middle Eastern conflict and the rising oil price, we’re ready with allies to do more,” Healey said.
“This is a signal to Putin that he may want us to be distracted by the Middle East, but we’re ready to act,” he added.
by Dr. Lee Willett
