More than 25 ships from Russia’s shadow fleet have passed freely through British waters, just days after Sir Keir Starmer authorised the armed forces to intercept the vessels.
The Prime Minister had pledged to “go after the shadow fleet even harder” in a bid to knock out the trade used to prop up Moscow’s crippled oil industry.
Lawmakers had hoped the public warning would compel these ships to take longer, alternative routes that avoid UK waters.
However, ship-tracking information shows these tankers are still navigating along the southern English coastline, with no change in frequency following Sir Keir’s proclamation.
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed no boarding operations have yet occurred, stating “any enforcement action is considered on a case-by-case basis”.
Other European countries, including France, Belgium and Sweden, have already boarded and held shadow fleet vessels in recent months as part of efforts to disrupt the tanker network funding Moscow’s four-year conflict in Ukraine.
Britain has imposed sanctions on 544 Russian tankers used for smuggling oil, more than any other nation.
Moscow uses the secret network of ships to dodge Western sanctions on Russian oil exports.
More than 25 ships from Russia’s shadow fleet have passed through British waters since Keir Starmer authorised seizure of the ships
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The ships attempt to evade capture by transporting the oil on aged tankers with deliberately obscure ownership or insurance.
They play a crucial role in keeping Russia’s sanctioned energy sector afloat and funding the war in Ukraine.
Government estimates suggest approximately three-quarters of Moscow’s crude oil output is transported by these vessels, which account for around 40 per cent of all Russian oil exports.
Ministers claim these measures are having an impact, with sanctioned vessels carrying an estimated £1.2billion less oil during the first quarter of 2025 than in the same period last year.
Moscow uses the secret network of ships to dodge Western sanctions on Russian oil exports
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According to the maritime intelligence firm Pole Star Global, approximately two dozen of these sanctioned vessels have been passing through UK waters on average each week since January.
Sanctions experts have criticised the British Government’s stance, arguing the gap between rhetoric and action undermines Britain’s credibility.
Brett Erickson, who advises on sanctions matters at consulting firm Obsidian Risk Advisors, said the administration appeared feeble for declaring its readiness to seize Russian vessels while failing to follow through.
“With sanctions, you can’t be half in; you either have to be all in, or all out,” he said.
Government estimates suggest approximately three-quarters of Moscow’s crude oil output is transported by the shadow fleet
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James Fennell, a former Royal Navy officer, suggested the apparent lack of intervention may be a deliberate strategy from British forces.
He suggested they were likely to adopt a selective approach when targeting Russian tankers rather than attempting to intercept every vessel.
The former Navy officer cited operational complexity, the prospect of legal challenges, and the danger that such actions could move Britain “one step closer to war with Russia” as factors constraining military intervention.
“The government is hoping the threat acts as a deterrent and will gauge the effect before sanctioning a potentially risky boarding operation,” he said, adding: “They will be using back channels to tell Russia to cease and desist.”