Russia Denounces Reported UK Plan to Detain Sanctions-Linked Ships at Sea

Overview

• Russian ambassador to the UK Andrei Kelin called the reported British approach an escalation that violates international maritime law and freedom of navigation.
• Kelin warned of potential consequences for global trade, including higher commodity and insurance costs, the use of security escorts, and possible closures of shipping areas or attempts to block key straits and canals.
• Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Russia would consider any British move to intercept vessels over alleged sanctions violations a direct breach of maritime law.
• BBC reports said the UK government has prepared a legal basis under the 2018 Sanctions and Anti‑Money Laundering Act to deploy armed forces to detain ships, though London has not formally announced a wider interdiction campaign.
• The UK Ministry of Defence said it assisted the United States on January 7 in the Atlantic seizure of the tanker known as Mariner (Bella 1), providing bases, surveillance aircraft, and an auxiliary fleet tanker.