UK Navy May Seek French Assistance to Counter Russian Shadow Fleet

Senior defence sources warn the Royal Navy lacks sufficient ships to intercept Putin’s ghost fleet alone, as Sweden concludes its first major environmental prosecution against a vessel from Russia. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied (Photo by UK Royal Navy/X) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google The UK Royal Navy may be forced to request military support from France to intercept Russian vessels in British waters as the fleet struggles to meet operational commitments, Daily Mail on Sunday reported on April 12. Senior naval planners at Navy Command Headquarters in Portsmouth have reportedly concluded that UK forces “need help” from Paris to conduct boarding operations and provide “overwatch” for sanctioned tankers. The revelation comes despite an official denial from the UK Ministry of Defence, which stated on Saturday night that “UK waters remain protected and monitored 24/7.” Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . The capability gap was highlighted by reports that the UK currently has only one submarine and two frigates available for immediate operations. Last week, the Kremlin sent three submarines into northern UK waters to potentially sabotage undersea cables while HMS Dragon, Britain’s only available destroyer, was deployed to the Mediterranean. In a further display of defiance, the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich recently escorted a pair of “shadow fleet” ships through the English Channel, despite UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s earlier vows to seize such vessels. “We simply don’t have enough warship capability to secure the coastline without the support of the French,” a senior military source told the publication. The French Navy currently operates approximately 120 ships – around 45 more than the UK – and maintains 25 modern frigates and destroyers capable of carrying helicopters. Sources in Paris confirmed that France and the UK are already sharing intelligence, adding that “if the British need more help... France certainly has the capability to provide it.” Other Topics of Interest Russia Builds Seven New Air Defense Towers Around Putin’s Valdai Residence Satellite imagery reveals a major expansion of the Pantsir missile network protecting the Russian leader’s retreat, bringing the total number of defense systems in the area to 27. The potential reliance on Paris underscores a broader failure to fulfill Starmer’s promises to “pursue and detain” Moscow’s shadow fleet. Despite legal counsel from Attorney General Lord Richard Hermer on how to use special forces and the National Crime Agency to board tankers, no such operations have taken place . Concerns over violating international maritime law have reportedly paralyzed British action, even as global fuel prices skyrocket due to Tehran’s disruption of the Strait of Hormuz. For Starmer, the UK’s inability to secure its own waters follows a series of diplomatic setbacks, including tensions with US President Donald Trump over energy security and the Chagos Islands. The Prime Minister recently stated he was “fed up” with the volatility of energy bills caused by the actions of both Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin . While Starmer seeks to build a “coalition of countries” to restore freedom of navigation in the Middle East , the lack of domestic maritime resources raises significant questions about the feasibility of his global strategy. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization since 1995. Its international market reach of 97% outside of Ukraine makes it truly Ukraine’s Global – and most reliable – Voice.