The United Kingdom is reportedly examining legal options to use oil seized from vessels linked to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” to help fund military assistance for Ukraine, according to The Times, citing a UK government source.
Russia has relied on a network of aging tankers, commonly referred to as the shadow fleet,to bypass Western sanctions imposed on its energy sector following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. British officials are now assessing whether proceeds from sanctioned oil cargoes could be redirected away from Moscow and toward supporting Ukraine’s defense efforts.

Iran has reportedly released the Greek-owned oil tanker St. Nikolas, which had been detained since January 2024, according to maritime intelligence firm Tanker Trackers. The move appears to conclude the prolonged detention linked to previous U.S. sanctions enforcement involving the same vessel.