Keir Starmer has authorised British forces to board and seize a vessel from the Russian shadow fleet. The basis for the boarding was that the ship attempted to sail through the English Channel. The vessel, “Smyrtos”, is now being escorted to an English port. The question is how Moscow will respond.
The seizure represents an escalation. Swedish and Danish authorities have inspected vessels in the shadow fleet, but it appears that the British have confiscated this one. They will likely attempt to retain it on a technicality.
The British do not have much to fall back on if Putin decides to flex his muscles. Starmer is unlikely to have Trump’s support for what amounts to a hijacking, which could disrupt negotiations with Iran and relations between Russia and Ukraine. It appears to be a stated objective within the EU to increase pressure on Russia.
British forces have boarded an oil tanker said to belong to Russia’s shadow fleet. The vessel is now being brought to the coast of England.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer says he ordered the military to intercept the sanctioned vessel “Smyrtos” after it allegedly attempted to pass through the English Channel.
The Ministry of Defence states that British forces boarded the ship on Sunday morning.
“This successful operation delivers another blow to Russia and serves as a reminder to those supporting Putin’s war in Ukraine that we will not allow them to hide,” Starmer wrote on X.
The vessel is now being temporarily anchored off the south coast of England and will be monitored for environmental and security risks.
Nearly 600 vessels suspected of being part of the Russian shadow fleet have been sanctioned by the EU. These are often ships that frequently change the flag under which they sail. They also operate under invalid registrations in order to circumvent sanctions imposed on Russia in connection with the invasion of Ukraine. (NTB)