UK sends Cutlass-class patrol boat to help French intercept Russian shadow fleet tanker
A Cutlass-class patrol boat has aided the French in their operation to board the Russian shadow fleet tanker Grinch, the Defence Secretary has revealed.
The vessel that was intercepted is under UK and European sanctions for its role in facilitating trade in sanctioned oil, BFBS Forces News understands.
Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Moscow's shadow fleet of tankers – with murky ownership and often flying false flags – has kept oil moving through routes like the English Channel.
'Deterring, disrupting and degrading'
John Healey's confirmation comes as more Royal Navy warships and aircraft were deployed to track the Kremlin's vessels in the English Channel during a two-day operation in coordination with Nato allies.
"Deterring, disrupting and degrading the Russian shadow fleet is a priority for this government," Mr Healey said.
"I can confirm that the UK has provided tracking and monitoring in support of the French operation to board the tanker Grinch. This support included HMS Dagger monitoring the vessel through the Strait of Gibraltar.
"Alongside our allies, we are stepping up our response to shadow vessels – to choke off the funds that fuel Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine."
HMS Dagger, which weighs 35 tonnes and can reach up to 40 knots, helped Paris' operation with tracking and imagery capture.
London has so far imposed sanctions on 544 Russian shadow fleet vessels.
Moscow's critical oil revenues are down 27% compared to October 2024, which is the lowest since the start of the war.
Only last week, the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera, which used to be called Bella 1, was spotted being accompanied by a US Coast Guard vessel and UK tugboats in Scotland after the UK supported an American operation – with an RAF P-8 Poseidon surveillance aircraft and the Royal Navy's RFA Tideforce – to detain the oil tanker.
Navy intercepts more Russian vessels
Portsmouth-based patrol ships HMS Mersey and HMS Severn, along with a Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron, were sent to intercept Russian corvette Boikiy and accompanying oil tanker MT General Skobelev as they sailed towards the North Sea.
HMS Mersey, a River-class offshore patrol vessel, intercepted Moscow's pair of vessels as they entered the Channel before HMS Severn and Mersey combined with the Wildcat to monitor the group in close coordination near the Isle of Wight.
HMS Severn continued to oversee the Russians as they sailed into the North Sea.
"With this operation, our sailors have once again sent a message to Putin – we know exactly what his navy is doing," Armed Forces Minister Al Carns said.
"Every time a Russian ship comes near the UK, the Navy is ready to track, deter and defend."
British Armed Forces are routinely called upon to track and monitor Russian shadow fleet activity in the vicinity of the UK and UK waters, and share any intelligence with allies.
Nearly four years after the Ukraine war started, the first trilateral talks between Russian, Ukrainian and American officials on ending the war in Ukraine are due to take place in the United Arab Emirates.
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