UK plans to turn seized Russian oil into Ukraine war funds

The Times reported the information.

Britain is examining options to intercept and seize cargo from vessels belonging to Russia's shadow fleet, with government sources revealing that any oil confiscated could be sold to raise funds for Ukrainian resistance. The plan would simultaneously deprive Russia of illicit war revenues while channeling resources to Kyiv, though questions remain about its legal and practical feasibility.

"There would be a double impact on Russia's war machine — we wouldn't just be depriving them of illicit war revenues but also finding a way to help fund Ukraine's resistance," a government source said.

The disclosure follows reports that British special forces are being prepared to conduct boarding operations against Russian oil tankers operating illegally. Elite troops trained to rappel from helicopters onto ships could target hundreds of vessels after the UK government identified legal grounds for such raids under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act.

Two sanctioned shadow fleet tankers, Spring Fortune and Range Vale, were expected to enter the English Channel on Wednesday. Both crude oil carriers are flying false flags—Cameroon and Zimbabwe respectively—making them potential targets for UK forces. Spring Fortune was sanctioned in May for activities destabilizing Ukraine, while Range Vale, involved in exporting Russian oil from Baltic ports, is linked to a sanctioned UAE-based company and has repeatedly changed names and flags.

NATO officials are reportedly monitoring at least three additional suspected Russian oil tankers crossing the Atlantic toward Europe, raising the possibility of further British interdiction operations.

Commander Arlo Abrahamson, chief of public affairs at Nato Maritime Command, said the alliance maintained "a persistent understanding of the patterns of life with merchant shipping and we work closely with allies to share analysis and information about vessels of interest."

Last week, the United States seized the oil tanker Marinera with British assistance after Navy Seals raided the vessel in the Atlantic as it attempted to reach Russia. The ship was photographed this week in Scotland's Moray Firth alongside U.S. Coast Guard vessels, possibly being resupplied before transport to America.

The Defense Ministry declined to comment on specific operations but confirmed that "deterring, disrupting and degrading" Russia's shadow fleet remained a priority. "Alongside our allies we are stepping up our response to shadow vessels — and we will continue to do so," the ministry said.