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REPORTS VARYStarmer authorises Royal Marines commandos to seize Putin's shadow fleet ships after U-turn
14 articles |
Updated 1h ago |
Created 7h ago
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has reversed his previous stance and ordered the UK Armed Forces to board Russian "shadow fleet" vessels in British waters, a move that allows law enforcement officers interdict sanctioned tankers under maritime sanction regimes without needing specific warrants for each ship.
Key Points
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1The UK government announced that its armed forces and law enforcement personnel are authorized to board, seize, or interdict Russia's 'shadow fleet' ships operating within British territorial waters.
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2Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated the operation aims not only to keep Britain safe but also to deprive Putin of funding for his invasion of Ukraine by starving him financially.
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3The move represents a significant escalation in UK maritime enforcement, joining efforts with northern European allies like France and Germany who have previously taken similar actions.
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4Previously ruled-out units such as the Special Boat Service are now cleared or ordered to participate in boarding operations against these sanction-breaking vessels.
Developments
[Mar 26, 01:55]
UK military announced it will board Russian shadow fleet vessels; Downing Street stated the goal is to starve Putin's war machine while keeping Britain safe.
[Mar 26, 00:34/01:41]
Reports confirm British forces are cleared or authorized to board and seize sanctioned Russian shadow fleet ships transiting UK waters; Starmer reiterated the intent to target funding for Ukraine's invasion.
[Mar 25, 03:41/23:31]
Reports indicate a 'Downing Street U-turn' where government lawyers previously ruled out Special Forces units like the SBS from boarding operations before authorization was granted.
⚡UK military to board Russian shadow fleet vessels in its territorial waters. "That's why we're going after his shadow fleet even harder, not just keeping Britain safe but starving Putin's war machine of the dirty profits that fund his barbaric campaign in Ukraine," Starmer said on March 25.
Kyiv Independent
3h ago
British forces will start seizing Russian shadow fleet ships, PM announces
Standard.co.uk
5h ago
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has authorized British commandos to intercept and seize Russia's "shadow" oil tankers in UK waters as part of a joint operation with ten northern European allies. This initiative aims to disrupt the illicit trade that funds Vladimir Putin by forcing these vessels onto costlier routes or capturing them directly while they pass through restricted zones.