42 Sanctioned Russian Shadow Fleet Tankers Defy UK Warnings in English Channel
Dozens of sanctioned Russian shadow fleet tankers are passing through the English Channel despite UK government vows of assertive action. Here is why the enforcement is lagging.
The UK vowed assertive action, but the shadow fleet is calling their bluff. Dozens of sanctioned Russian tankers are cruising through the English Channel unimpeded, despite defense officials' promises to board and seize vessels. According to BBC Verify, at least 42 sanctioned tankers have navigated the waterway this month alone.
How the Shadow Fleet Evades Global Scrutiny
Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia has relied on hundreds of aging tankers with obscured ownership—the shadow fleet—to bypass oil export embargoes. These vessels use tactics like flying false flags or disabling tracking signals. For instance, the tanker Sofos, sanctioned in May 2025, recently moved through the Channel after loading oil in Venezuela. Another vessel, the Nasledie, entered the Channel in January carrying approximately 100,000 tonnes of Urals crude, Russia's flagship oil grade.
A Legal Green Light Without Military Action
The British government reportedly received legal advice earlier this month confirming that these tankers can be detained under the Sanctions and Money Act 2018. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stated the UK is ready to "tighten the chokehold" on Russia. However, while the UK has assisted the US and France in maritime seizures elsewhere, the Royal Marines have yet to independently intercept a shadow fleet vessel in the Channel. Meanwhile, Moscow has responded by providing warship escorts for some tankers, warning that any detention would be seen as a violation of international law.
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