Putin threatens to seize British ships over shadow fleet crackdown

President Putin has threatened to seize British vessels in retaliation for European operations against Russia's shadow oil fleet — ageing tankers used to evade sanctions. Nine have been detained in EU waters since January 2026. The MoD said the 700-plus fleet carries 75 per cent of Russia's sanctioned oil, calling it a Kremlin lifeline. No Russian seizure has been reported.