Labour Party Chair Anna Turley has issued a warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating that the UK Government is closely monitoring all activities of Russian vessels in British waters, following the sighting of a suspicious ship in the Channel.
Turley praised the efforts of Keir Starmer, the Labour Party leader, for his work in collaborating with international partners, particularly in supporting Ukraine. The vessel in question, named Tavian, was detected 20 miles north of Guernsey, heading towards Finland, as per tracking data.
The ship Tavian is believed to be linked to Putin’s covert fleet, which is utilized to circumvent sanctions on Russian oil trade.
In a statement to Sky News, Turley emphasized the government’s capability to oversee maritime activities and commended Starmer’s engagement on the global stage. She highlighted the importance of upholding international law and ensuring the safety of citizens by closely monitoring Russia’s actions in British waters.
Recent events unfolded as the UK provided assistance to the US in intercepting a Russian-flagged tanker in the North Atlantic. Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander labeled the seized vessel, Marinera, as part of the clandestine fleet funding Russia’s activities in Ukraine.
Alexander stressed the necessity for the UK to collaborate with allies, like the US, to counter Russian attempts to evade sanctions. The operation to seize the ship involved RAF surveillance aircraft and the naval supply ship RFA Tideforce.
The vessel, formerly known as Bella 1 and associated with Venezuela, was apprehended between Iceland and Scotland. Following the successful operation, the US military’s European Command acknowledged the UK’s unwavering support.
Alexander, speaking on BBC Radio Scotland, highlighted the vessel’s designation as stateless under international law and its involvement in supporting Russia’s actions in Ukraine. He underscored the UK’s commitment to preventing the illicit funding of conflicts and terrorism.
Efforts are ongoing to disrupt the financial channels that fuel Putin’s military operations, with authorities in the UK and other countries collaborating to combat Russian attempts to circumvent sanctions.