The UK-US collaborative capture of the false-flagged Marinera in the North Atlantic has seen the government consider using legislation to apprehend more sanctioned vessels
10:48, 13 Jan 2026
Brit special forces are poised to start boarding vessels in Russia's "shadow fleet", as Keir Starmer mulls targeting ships carrying sanctioned oil.
After aiding Donald Trump's audacious capture of a Russian-flagged Venezuelan vessel in the Atlantic last week, the government believes it can now fly solo and legally board and detain vessels that make up Vladimir Putin's clandestine seafaring network. The country and its allies, including Iran, have been accused of operating ships sailing without a valid national flag to avoid oil sanctions.
The move, which would be a first for the UK, could be pursued after the government identified soldiers could use an eight-year-old act to use military force against sanctioned boats.
The government reportedly plans to use the 2018 Sanctions and Money Laundering Act to approve the use of force against vessels, of which around 500 have been sanctioned since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. Those hundreds of vessels would become military targets under options being billed as a major escalation in action against Russia.
The Times reports that the sanctioned vessels believed to be flying false flags would risk being descended upon by a joint military force, including the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, special forces and the UK's NATO allies.
The "shadow fleet" is a major moneymaker for despot Putin, who is said to have raked in up to £100 billion from the vast network while avoiding extensive sanctions. A defence source speaking to the Times said preparations for a "big joint op" are in their "early days" as the appetite to "do more" grows across Europe.
The source said: "There is a broader appetite across Europe to do more, so it could be the UK contributing more to other European nations’ operations or doing something jointly. These types of things are quite complex."
Special forces assisted with the US seizure of the Venezuelan Marinera ship last week, which was taken in a combined operation as it was "falsely flagged" with a Russian flag while travelling through the North Atlantic. The ship, Defence Secretary John Healey said, was sanctioned by the UK and had "refused to comply" with the US.
He told the House of Commons: "This is a sanctioned, stateless vessel which carries a long history of nefarious activity and shares close links with both Iran and Russia."
Mr Healey has since said the operation was an exhibition of British Armed Forces' "skill and professionalism" as they boarded the ship, which has been referred to as the "Bella 1" by US officials. While the US had intercepted the ship due to its Venezuelan links, the minister said UK efforts had focused on stopping a sanctioned vessel.
He said: "Today our UK Armed Forces showed skill and professionalism in support of a successful US interception of the vessel Bella 1 while on its way to Russia.
"This action formed part of global efforts to crack down on sanctions busting. This ship, with a nefarious history, is part of a Russian-Iranian axis of sanctions evasion which is fuelling terrorism, conflict, and misery from the Middle East to Ukraine."
The Daily Mirror has contacted the Ministry of Defence for comment.