Defence secretary John Healey said that if Vladimir Putin feels the need to send a warship to escort tankers through the English Channel, it is a sign that UK policy is having an impact.
His comments came after reports that a Russian warship had been accompanying two sanctioned Russian ships through the Channel. The vessels are believed to be part of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, which carries oil sold to help fund the war in Ukraine.
The UK government has recently announced that the armed forces have been authorised to board such ships in British waters in an effort to stop them. Healey’s remarks suggest ministers believe that sanctions and the threat of boarding are making it more difficult for Russia to move and sell its oil.
Cooper declines to confirm reports
Earlier on Thursday, foreign secretary Yvette Cooper did not confirm the reports about the Russian warship escort. She said the government had now given permission for action to be taken against the Russian shadow fleet, but stressed that operational decisions still had to be made properly by the military.
“What I can tell you is that we have given permission now for action to be taken against the Russian shadow fleet. Operational decisions then have to be taken in the right way by the military,” she said.
Cooper also said there were signs not only of how the Russian shadow fleet is operating, but of wider Russian threats.
“There are indications of the way in which not just the Russian shadow fleet is operating, but also the way in which we are seeing increased Russian threats, not just to the UK, but across Europe as well,” she said.
Pressure on Russian oil trade
The focus on the shadow fleet reflects growing concern in London about Russia’s ability to continue exporting oil despite sanctions. By targeting the ships used in this trade, ministers hope to disrupt a key source of revenue for the Kremlin.
Healey’s assessment was that the use of an escorting warship, if confirmed, would underline that the UK’s approach is forcing Russia to respond. In his view, the move would point to real pressure on Moscow’s oil trade rather than weakness in Britain’s position.
The government’s authorisation for military action against sanctioned vessels in British waters marks a more assertive stance. Officials have framed it as part of a broader response to Russia’s actions, including threats extending beyond the UK and across Europe.
The comments from Healey and Cooper come amid continued scrutiny of how far the UK should go in challenging the shadow fleet at sea. For ministers, the issue is both practical and symbolic: stopping the movement of sanctioned oil while signalling that Britain is prepared to act.
