The Prime Minister of the UK, Keir Starmer, has given the green light for British military and law enforcement to board and seize vessels believed to be part of Russia's covert fleet — tankers responsible for transporting around 75% of Russia's crude oil exports, which defy Western sanctions. Starmer emphasized that this initiative aims to disrupt the 'dirty profits' that support Putin's aggression in Ukraine. British forces are ready to board ships that do not comply or are armed. Legal actions may be pursued against the owners, operators, and crew members. The UK has imposed sanctions on 544 vessels within the shadow fleet. This announcement came just before the Joint Expeditionary Force Summit held in Helsinki.
