The UK Government is closely monitoring all Russian maritime activity in British waters, the Labour Party Chair has declared, following the sighting of a so-called 'zombie' oil tanker in the English Channel.
Channel Sighting Raises Alarm
According to ship tracking data, the oil tanker Tavian was observed approximately 20 miles north of Guernsey in the early hours of Thursday, 8th January 2026, while en route to Finland. The vessel is suspected of being part of Vladimir Putin's 'shadow fleet', a network of ships used to circumvent international sanctions and restrictions on the trade of Russian oil.
Speaking to Sky News, Labour Party Chair Anna Turley stated that the government is vigilant. "Obviously, the government can monitor everything that's happening in the waters around us," she said. Turley expressed pride in Prime Minister Keir Starmer's international efforts, highlighting his work "across the coalition of the willing, supporting Ukraine."
UK Supports US in Atlantic Seizure
This incident occurred less than 24 hours after the UK provided critical support to a United States-led operation to seize a Russian-flagged tanker in the North Atlantic. The vessel, previously known as the Bella 1 and linked to Venezuela, was captured as it travelled through waters between Iceland and Scotland.
Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander confirmed the ship was "part of the shadow fleet that funds Russia's war effort in Ukraine." He emphasised that it had been designated a stateless vessel under international law after turning off its transponders.
UK assistance included the use of RAF surveillance aircraft and the naval supply ship RFA Tideforce. US special operations aircraft also landed at Wick John O'Groats Airport in the Scottish Highlands as part of the mission. Defence Secretary John Healey told MPs that no British personnel boarded the vessel during the seizure on Wednesday.
Commitment to International Law and Security
In her statement, Anna Turley underscored the government's commitment to working with international partners. "We're working closely with our partners to make sure that we maintain international law and that we will do everything we can to ensure that citizens are safe," she asserted.
Echoing this sentiment, Douglas Alexander told BBC Radio Scotland that it is "right and reasonable" for the UK to collaborate with allies like the US to confront Russian attempts at sanction-busting. He stated that authorities continue to seek ways to "close down those channels of financing that are funding Putin's war machine."
The US military's European Command publicly thanked the UK for its "unwavering support" in the successful Atlantic operation, highlighting the strength of the international coalition against Russian evasion tactics.
