UK Shadow Fleet Policy Shows Little Impact on Russian Ship Traffic
Prime Minister Keir Starmer's recent policy allowing the British military to board Russian 'shadow fleet' ships has not significantly affected the number of these vessels passing through UK waters. Despite the threat issued on March 25, data shows that 98 Russian vessels subject to UK sanctions transited British waters in the following month, a figure consistent with previous months. The ships, often with opaque ownership and involved in transporting oil, grains, and arms, have not been boarded or detained. The Kremlin has criticized the sanctions as illegal and hostile, warning of potential retaliation. The British Ministry of Defense has not commented on the lack of action, while other European countries have taken more direct measures against these vessels. 
