Russian shadow fleet tankers sailed through the English Channel this week despite new powers approved by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer allowing British special forces to seize sanctioned vessels in national waters. At least six ships passed through the Strait of Dover unchallenged, prompting the launch of British surveillance aircraft, while others diverted their routes around Scotland.

The move came after the government reversed earlier legal guidance and authorised stronger action against vessels linked to President Vladimir Putin’s oil exports. Starmer said the government would pursue the shadow fleet more aggressively in an effort to curb oil revenues that help finance Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Maritime law experts noted that ships are generally entitled to innocent passage through territorial waters unless engaged in criminal activity, making seizures legally complex. Analysts warned that while some vessels may be temporarily deterred, many are expected to continue transiting the Channel, raising the risk of heightened tensions near British shores.

Russia’s shadow fleet, estimated to include hundreds of aging tankers operating under shifting flags and opaque ownership, transports a significant share of the country’s crude oil exports in defiance of Western sanctions. British defence officials say disrupting these operations remains a priority amid concerns over security and environmental risks.