UK authorises military to board Russian shadow fleet tankers - Reuters

Britain has authorized its military to board and inspect Russian shadow fleet tankers operating in UK waters or nearby maritime zones. The shadow fleet — aging, often poorly maintained vessels used to transport Russian oil and circumvent international sanctions — has become a critical vulnerability in Western enforcement of sanctions against Moscow. The move represents an escalation in London's direct enforcement actions against Russia's maritime operations and signals the UK's willingness to physically interdict vessels suspected of sanctions violations. This authorization empowers the Royal Navy to conduct at-sea inspections without requiring advance diplomatic coordination, streamlining what has been a cumbersome process of identifying and responding to sanctions evasion. The action aligns with broader Western efforts to disrupt Russia's oil revenues and limit its ability to fund its military operations in Ukraine.