British special forces are on the brink of boarding vessels in Russia’s secretive maritime network, as Keir Starmer considers targeting ships transporting sanctioned oil. Following their involvement in aiding Donald Trump’s capture of a Russian-flagged Venezuelan vessel in the Atlantic, the UK government is now contemplating independent operations to lawfully intercept and detain vessels linked to Vladimir Putin’s covert seafaring activities. These vessels, some sailing without legitimate national flags to evade oil sanctions, are part of a larger network involving Russia and its allies, including Iran.
In an unprecedented move for the UK, officials are exploring the utilization of an eight-year-old legislation, the 2018 Sanctions and Money Laundering Act, to authorize military intervention against sanctioned ships. Approximately 500 vessels have been targeted since the conflict in Ukraine began, with plans to designate them as military objectives in a significant escalation of measures against Russia.
Reports from The Times indicate that vessels suspected of flying false flags could face coordinated military action involving the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, special forces, and other NATO partners. The so-called “shadow fleet” has been a lucrative enterprise for Putin, allegedly generating billions while circumventing extensive sanctions. A defense source revealed ongoing preparations for a joint operation, signaling growing momentum across Europe for increased intervention.
The recent involvement of special forces in the joint US seizure of the Venezuelan vessel Marinera, falsely flagged as Russian, underscores the UK’s commitment to enforcing sanctions. Defence Secretary John Healey highlighted the vessel’s illicit history and connections to Iran and Russia, emphasizing the necessity of intercepting sanctioned ships. Praising the operation as a display of British Armed Forces’ proficiency, Healey stressed the global effort to combat sanctions violations and the destabilizing impact of illicit maritime activities on regions from the Middle East to Ukraine.
The Ministry of Defence has been approached for comments on these developments.