Trending 
United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister Keir Starmer has vowed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not escape accountability.
His remarks came after British armed forces intercepted a Russian “shadow fleet” oil tanker in the English Channel on Sunday.
“Despite Putin’s best efforts to evade sanctions, we will not let him get away with it,” Starmer said, sharing a video of the operation carried out by British forces. The six-hour operation involved Royal Marine Commandos, officers from the National Crime Agency, and support from the Royal Air Force.
According to Western officials, the “shadow fleet” comprises more than 700 vessels allegedly used to circumvent international sanctions on Russian oil exports. The network is said to transport around 75 per cent of Russia’s sanctioned oil, providing a crucial revenue stream for Moscow despite restrictions.
The United Kingdom has imposed extensive sanctions on Russia since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, including transport measures banning Russian aircraft, shipping, and aviation services from UK airspace and ports.
Despite Putin’s best efforts to evade sanctions, we will not let him get away with it. pic.twitter.com/IIW3Cv2ENQ
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 14, 2026
