March 26, 2026
UK Government Authorizes Military to Detain Russian “Shadow Fleet” Ships in Its Territorial Waters

TL;DR
- UK armed forces and law enforcement can now detain ships on sanctions lists in British territorial waters.
- The move is aimed at targeting Russia's "shadow fleet" and disrupting funds for the war in Ukraine.
- The UK expects this to force operators onto longer, financially difficult routes.
- JEF allies, including Finland, Sweden, and Estonia, have conducted similar operations in the Baltic.
- The Royal Navy has assisted allies in tracking and enabling the interception of "shadow fleet" vessels.
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