Russia says Britain's decision to detain ghost fleet ships exporting Russian oil 'hostile' and threatens response
Britain's plan to detain Russian ships is considered hostile and Moscow will respond with political, legal and “asymmetrical” measures, the Russian embassy in the United Kingdom said in a statement cited by the state-run TASS agency, according to Reuters.
Earlier, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he had authorized the military to stop and detain Russian ships in British waters to disrupt a network of vessels the government says are helping Moscow export oil despite Western sanctions.
The Russian side said that the announcement made by Prime Minister Keir Starmer is “another deeply hostile step directed against Russia”.
“The irresponsible statements regarding the intention to attack Russian merchant ships clearly show the desire to escalate an already tense situation in the field of security and international trade,” the statement said.
“Such actions have consequences. Navigation becomes unsafe in British waters, where any ship can be subject to pirate-type seizures. Russia will use all political, legal and other tools at its disposal, including asymmetric ones, to protect its interests,” Russian diplomats continued.
Other European states have also stepped up efforts to disrupt the so-called “ghost fleet” of oil tankers used by Moscow to finance the war against Ukraine, now in its fourth year.
Starmer said he approved the more aggressive measures against these vessels because Russian President Vladimir Putin is likely “wringing his hands” following a spike in oil prices following the Middle East war.
“That is why, in my firm opinion, we should be taking even tougher action against the ghost fleet,” Starmer told a meeting in Helsinki on Thursday. “Together we must shut down sea routes critical to this vital trade to keep the pressure on Putin,” he urged attendees.
Britain this year provided intelligence and logistical support to the French and American armed forces, which intercepted Russian vessels. But Starmer's announcement marks the first time British forces have been authorized to board Russian ships.
