Russia: Oil

(asked on 23rd March 2026) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what progress she has made on legal options to pursue the Russian Shadow Fleet.


Answered by
Stephen Doughty Portrait
Stephen Doughty
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
This question was answered on 10th April 2026

Disrupting the Russian shadow fleet is a priority for the UK and our action is having an impact. We have already sanctioned 595 shadow fleet vessels, and an estimated $4.5 billion less in Russian oil and oil products has been carried by these vessels as a result.

On 26 March, the Prime Minister announced that UK Armed Forces and law enforcement officers would now be able to interdict vessels that have been sanctioned by the UK and are transiting through UK waters. Any action against these vessels would adhere to strict legal procedures and comply with both domestic and international law.

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