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Analysis by BBC Verify indicates that nearly 200 vessels linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet” have entered UK waters despite a government warning issued almost seven weeks prior. In March, Sir Keir Starmer declared that British armed forces were empowered to board ships under sanction passing through UK waters. However, since that announcement, 184 vessels subject to UK sanctions have completed 238 transits within UK waters, with no public records or evidence that any of these ships have actually been boarded.
According to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), efforts are underway to “disrupt and deter” these shadow fleet vessels, although they have not disclosed specific actions or outcomes. A former Royal Navy commander described the absence of boarding attempts as “pathetic,” criticizing the government’s approach. The monitored ships entered the UK’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which extends up to 200 nautical miles from the coast, most frequently passing through the English Channel. In nearly 94 cases, vessels briefly crossed into the UK’s territorial waters, which span 12 nautical miles from the shore. The UK’s interception policy is understood to cover both the EEZ and territorial waters.
Russia’s shadow fleet consists primarily of tankers with opaque ownership designed to circumvent international sanctions on Russian oil exports. BBC Verify used MarineTraffic data to track all 184 sanctioned vessels between 25 March and 11 May. The sanctions prevent these ships from docking at UK ports and bar British companies and individuals from offering financial, insurance, or brokerage services related to vessels carrying Russian oil. The data reveals most of these are oil tankers, with some liquefied natural gas carriers and one multipurpose offshore vessel. While MarineTraffic relies on ships’ Automatic Identification System (AIS), which can be disabled to hide a ship’s location or identity, gaps in data were noted west of Scotland and Ireland.
One notable case involves the sanctioned oil tanker Universal, which appeared to be escorted through UK waters by a Russian warship, likely the frigate Admiral Grigorovich, according to satellite images and intelligence analysis by MAIAR experts. This escort entered UK waters on 8 April before passing through the English Channel. Professor Alessio Patalano from King’s College London suggested that such an escort indicates the UK is maintaining pressure on Russian operations. Meanwhile, the Kremlin condemned the UK’s threats to detain Russian vessels, calling them hostile and warning of consequences. Legal experts point out that the UK’s ability to board or seize foreign-flagged ships is limited, as flagged vessels enjoy protections under international law, raising questions about the effectiveness and enforceability of the UK’s current interception policy
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