British troops are to be allowed to board sanctioned ships passing through British waters.
Armed forces and law enforcement officers will be able to board Russian shadow fleet ships as part of efforts to exert more pressure on Vladimir Putin as the war in Ukraine enters its fifth year.
The Royal Navy has supported allies in tracking shadow fleet vessels in European and Mediterranean waters in recent weeks.
Read more: Putin’s shadow fleet in the Channel
Sir Keir Starmer said: “Putin is rubbing his hands on war in the Middle East because he thinks higher oil prices will let him line his pockets.
“That’s why we are pursuing his shadow fleet even more vigorously, not only to keep Britain safe but to starve Putin’s war machine of the dirty profits that finance his barbaric campaign in Ukraine.”
He added, “He and his comrades should have no doubt; we will always defend our sovereignty and stand with Ukraine as long as necessary.”
Prime Minister participating in the military summit
It comes as the Prime Minister visits Finland for the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) summit in Helsinki, where he will announce that Britain’s support for Ukraine remains “resolute”.
JEF is a military alliance of 10 Northern European countries led by Britain and aimed at deterring incursions by Russian forces.
Finland, Sweden and Estonia have recently launched operations against suspected illegal shadow fleet vessels in the Baltic, while Britain provided assistance to US forces that boarded the sanctioned Russian-linked Bela 1 oil tanker in the Atlantic in January.
You can watch live coverage of the Prime Minister’s visit to Helsinki here political center – Including an exclusive interview with us Political Editor Beth Rigby.
