Russian warship 'escorts tankers' through English Channel towards PlymouthUK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in March gave special forces the authority to capture the ships illegally ferrying oil to support Russia’s war in UkraineView Image British naval vessel RFA Tideforce trailed behind the Russian warship (Image: Getty Images)Russia has deployed a warship to escort sanctioned vessels through the English Channel according to reports. ‌On Wednesday (April 8) the Admiral Grigorovich, a Black Sea fleet frigate, accompanied a two shadow fleet ships while British naval vessel RFA Tideforce trailed behind. ‌The warship sailed between the two 600ft tankers as they headed west toward Plymouth. ‌Sir Keir said he would hit the shadow fleet "even harder" if they entered British waters, but the country has not seized a single Russian vessel The Mirror reports. "If we’re really serious about helping Ukraine, we need to clamp down on these shadow fleet ships.

Source: Daily Mirror April 09, 2026 09:51 UTC