Putin threatens to seize UK ships in dramatic escalation after storming of Russian ‘shadow fleet’ tankers fuelling war

VLADIMIR Putin has threatened to seize British ships in the Pacific in a dramatic escalation after UK forces stormed a Russian tanker. The Kremlin leader framed his warning as a tit-for-tat if the UK orders the arrest of more Russian ships carrying oil to fuel his war in Ukraine. Vladimir Putin offers a stark warning to the West during Russian naval drills Credit: East2West The UK Commando force conducting maritime interdiction operations on CMR Smyrtos Credit: UK MOD Crown copyright Dressed in naval-style uniform, Putin boarded missile cruiser Varyag on Wednesday to oversee the final stage of major Pacific Fleet drills. The war games involved more than 13,000 servicemen, 60 ships, submarines and supply vessels as well as 50 planes, helicopters and drones. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! His fleet commander Admiral Viktor Liina said he had identified 26 British commercial vessels since April in Russia’s exclusive economic zone. Liina declared: “We have the capabilities to inspect and detain vessels from unfriendly states and their shadow fleet. Putin’s naval drills involved more than 13,000 servicemen, 60 ships and submarines Credit: East2West Putin’s shadow fleet tankers help smuggle sanctioned oil across the globe Credit: UK MOD Crown copyright “We are ready to begin tackling these tasks.” Putin made clear he was ready to confront the West, accusing European countries of violating “international maritime law“. The Russian tyrant said: “Recently they have gone so far as to seize our vessels and sell property looted from us. “Naturally, this is nothing other than piracy and robbery.” Most read in The Sun British commandos stormed the Russian “shadow fleet” oil tanker Smyrtos and captured 25 crew members in international waters in June. Video released by the Ministry of Defence showed how marines fast-roped from helicopters during the six-hour operation. Putin’s so-called shadow fleet – composed of older, poorly maintained vessels and tankers – help smuggle sanctioned oil across the globe. To evade detection, they turn off tracking systems, falsify location data, and conduct ship-to-ship transfers at sea to disguise the oil’s origin. Commandos stormed a Russian shadow fleet tanker in June Credit: LPhot Finn Hutchins; © UK Ministry of Defence CROWN COPYRIGHT 2026 Marines captured 25 crew members during the six-hour operation in international waters Credit: MOD A Sun investigation revealed at least 28 ‘banned’ boats have been caught on radar transiting the channel since June 19. It has sparked calls for more action from new PM Andy Burnham in the Channel to hit Russia‘s global oil trade empire where it hurts. But Putin said he would be “forced to respond in kind,” if Russian ships continued to be targeted. Retaliation would occur wherever the dictator “considers necessary and appropriate”, including “within the Pacific Fleet’s area of responsibility”. Putin warned: “I would ask you to pay attention to this. “The Defence Ministry has been given such an instruction, and I know that it has also been passed on to the Pacific Fleet command.” Putin’s security council number two Dmitry Medvedev rammed home the Russian threat. “The overwhelming majority of Western European vessels also sail under flags of convenience,” he said. “And what does that mean? “It means that, following a symmetrical approach, which is only fair, Russia has the right to attack any merchant vessel belonging to hostile countries, whether in our waters or in neutral waters, if there are sufficient grounds to suspect that it is carrying cargo in the interests of the enemy. “In other words, any cargo at all.” Comment now