Russian Shadow Fleet Vessel Leruo

Debate between Baroness Goldie and Lord Wood of Anfield

Monday 26th October 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Goldie]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Russian shadow fleet vessel LERUO not being intercepted; and the potential implications of this for Russia’s on-going invasion of Ukraine.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Lord Wood of Anfield) (Lab)]

I thank the noble Baroness for this Question. I am not going to make specific comment on operational decisions or assessments, as I am sure she understands. To do so would only benefit Russia. Any UK action to intercept Russian shadow fleet vessels would be subject to strict legal procedures and comply with both domestic and international law. Potential targets are subject to assessment by law enforcement, military and energy specialists. Of course, we keep our policy under review.

[Baroness Goldie (Con)]

My Lords, this country can be proud of the unstinting support against the appalling illegal invasion by Putin that has been given to President Zelensky and Ukraine by successive Governments. Part of that support includes a robust framework of sanctions against Russia and Russian associates. Sanctions without enforcement is weakness, and Putin, like any bully, exploits weakness—but he is afraid of strength. How does it indicate strength to look hesitant in enforcing our sanctions regime, and will other potentially sanction-breaking vessels traversing our waters also be spared interdiction?

[Lord Wood of Anfield (Lab)]

The noble Baroness is absolutely right to point out that it is a consistent policy, and I am proud to say a world-leading policy, of support for Ukraine across different Governments—the last Conservative Government, the previous Labour Prime Minister and the current Labour Prime Minister. It is a consistent policy that we should both maintain and be proud of. The noble Baroness is also absolutely right that strength is important, and I am slightly surprised that she suggested the UK, in her view, has a reputation for weakness. Friend and foe alike acknowledge the UK to be world-leading in the breadth, strength and seriousness of the support it offers.

Since 2024 we have challenged more than 700 suspected shadow fleet vessels. The “Smyrtos” is currently detained by the Secretary of State for Transport under transport sanctions powers. It is easy to look at an individual case and ask why we do not repeat it. I can assure the noble Baroness and the House that serious legal, operational, diplomatic and other concerns go into the decision about interdiction and interception. But the idea that the UK is not leading with a broad-ranging, credible and strong policy on sanctions and not cracking down on shadow fleet vessels is not true.