Russia dispatched a warship to guide sanctioned vessels across the English Channel. The Admiral Grigorovich, a frigate from the Black Sea fleet, escorted two shadow fleet ships on Wednesday, April 8, while the British naval vessel RFA Tideforce followed behind. The warship sailed between the two 600ft tankers as they traveled west towards Plymouth.
In March, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer granted special forces the authority to apprehend ships illegally transporting oil to aid Russia’s activities in Ukraine. Despite warnings that the shadow fleet would face severe consequences if entering British waters, no Russian vessels have been seized.
According to The Telegraph, the Universal departed from a Russian port on January 18 to transport crude oil for Kremlin support and was banned from British waters in September. The Enigma, flying the flag of Cameroon, set course for Turkey after leaving another Russian port on March 29 and was sanctioned by the UK in May for contributing funds to the Kremlin.
Andrew Fox, a retired major in the Parachute Regiment, expressed concern that Russia’s actions aimed to embarrass Britain and sustain the conflict in Ukraine by maintaining oil supplies. Fox emphasized the need to take decisive action against the shadow fleet to deter Russian activities and undermine Putin’s regime.
There are discussions about deploying the Royal Navy and the National Crime Agency to intercept tankers under the legal framework of sanctions legislation passed in 2018. Special forces units like the Special Boat Service and SAS could seize tankers if armed guards are present, while the Royal Marines may board vessels deemed non-threatening.
Moscow has cautioned that any attempt to capture the ships by military means would provoke retaliation.
