Putin threatens to seize British ships over shadow fleet interdictions

President Putin has threatened to seize British vessels in retaliation for European operations against Russia's shadow oil fleet. Nine tankers have been detained around EU waters since January 2026. The UK Ministry of Defence says the fleet of more than 700 vessels carries 75 per cent of Russia's sanctioned oil — a "critical lifeline for the Kremlin." No Russian retaliatory seizure has been reported.