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Britain’s elite Special Boat Service is preparing to target Russian shadow fleet tankers after Keir Starmer decided to lift the legal restrictions that had hindered military operations for months.
This change represents a significant shift in the UK’s stance amid growing concerns over Moscow’s funding of the war.
Higher oil prices, driven by the conflict in Iran, have strengthened the Kremlin’s shadow fleet—a network of tankers transporting oil to markets beyond international scrutiny. ”
We are living in an increasingly volatile and dangerous world,” Starmer stated. “Putin is rubbing his hands with glee at the war in the Middle East because he believes that higher oil prices will fill his pockets. That’s why we are intensifying our efforts against his shadow fleet; we aim not only to keep Britain safe but also to cut off the dirty profits that finance his barbaric campaign.
Until now, government lawyers had blocked any special forces operations against Russian vessels in British waters. The Royal Navy’s role was largely confined to monitoring the Channel, leaving allied forces increasingly frustrated.
At the Joint Expeditionary Force summit in Helsinki on Thursday, the decision will be formalised. Other JEF nations, including Finland, Sweden, and Estonia, have already conducted interdiction operations, while Britain has lagged due to legal and procedural delays.
This situation was further highlighted earlier this year when American forces led the boarding of the Bella 1 tanker in the North Sea, with British personnel having only a minimal role. The new directive enables the UK to take the lead in similar missions moving forward.
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