UK Commands Commandos to Stop Russia's Shadow Fleet

0:00It's March 26th. This is Europe News Today, European news powered by AI. Britain's Prime Minister has approved commandos to board and stop Russia's shadow fleet tankers passing through UK waters. This move targets the aging vessels that ship Russian oil, under foreign flags, to dodge western sanctions imposed since the Ukraine invasion. He's announcing it while heading to a summit in Helsinki with leaders from the joint expeditionary force. A 10-country group led by the UK, including Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. These allies aim to counter Russian threats in northern Europe, and recent intercepts by Finland, Sweden, and Estonia in the Baltic Sea, Shilda, growing pressure on the fleet, which numbers over 1,000 ships. The plan forces these tankers on to, longer, costly or routes, or risk seizure. Helping profits that fund Russia's war efforts. Officials say it's about protecting UK interests and supporting Ukraine amid global tensions.

1:03Meanwhile, British forces have tracked and aided seizures for years, like helping the U.S. grab one tanker in the Atlantic in January and backing French. Operations in the Mediterranean. At the summit, leaders will discuss high-nor-security and Ukraine updates, tightening the net further.