Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans the Government has to increase the frequency of interdiction operations against Russian shadow fleet vessels.

The Ministry of Defence continuously monitors maritime activity in the UK waters. Any enforcement action is considered on a case‑by‑case basis.

The recent interdiction of Russian shadow fleet vessel SMYRTOS shows that the UK is ready to take action to enforce sanctions and disrupt the resources sustaining Russian aggression in Ukraine.