BBC Verify, it was revealed that dozens of sanctioned vessels had sailed through the English Channel in the weeks following the identification of the legal mechanism in January

The defence secretary has said that British forces are now "ready to act" to board and detain ships in Russia's so-called shadow fleet in UK waters. Accusations have been made against Russia, citing the nation's alleged use of ships without a valid national flag. This practice is believed to be a strategy to evade sanctions on oil and potentially fund its ongoing war in Ukraine

.Board sanctioned vessels

In January, ministers identified a legal basis that would allow forces to board sanctioned vessels, but the prime minister did not approve the military measure until Thursday. When asked why that decision had not come sooner, John Healey told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that such operations require training, preparation, understanding, discussions with allies and a clear legal basis.He added that these points were now "lined up and ready", and that the decision represented "a signal that we will take action when we see illegal shadow ships".

Dozens of sanctioned vessels 

According to an analysis by BBC Verify, it was revealed that dozens of sanctioned vessels had sailed through the English Channel in the weeks following the identification of the legal mechanism in January. Despite much of Whitehall's attention being focused on the war in the Middle East in recent weeks, ministers are keen to emphasise the threat still posed by Russia.

Monitor and track several 'shadow fleet' ships

Vessels that have been sanctioned by the UK and are transiting through UK waters will now be interdicted by UK armed forces and law enforcement officers, as agreed by the prime minister. In recent weeks, the Royal Navy has been working with allies to monitor and track several 'shadow fleet' ships. This has enabled them to carry out interdiction operations in European and Mediterranean waters.

Related : EU : A new strict measures against the so-called “shadow fleet"

Several JEF allies,

Several JEF allies, including Finland, Sweden and Estonia, have recently conducted operations against suspected illegal 'shadow fleet' vessels in the Baltic Sea, closing off critical maritime routes to prevent them from operating.The declaration is concurrent with Starmer's involvement in the joint expeditionary force summit in Helsinki, where matters of regional security and responses to Russia were deliberated.

Ships travelling through the Arctic and the High North 

According to a press release from Downing Street, ships travelling through the Arctic and the High North pose a direct threat to vital 'lifelines', such as the sea lines of communication that connect the US to EuropeIt says that military and law enforcement specialists have undergone training in recent weeks in preparation for a number of scenarios, including boarding vessels that do not surrender, are armed or use high-tech surveillance equipment to evade capture.

It is estimated by officials that around 75% of Russia's crude oil is transported through the 'shadow fleet'. The UK and its allies have imposed sanctions on 544 vessels belonging to this fleet and are calling for increased coordination to further disrupt their operations.

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