The passage of Russian oil tankers through the English Channel under escort of a warship has sparked significant political controversy in the UK. According to The Guardian, the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich the previous day ensured the safe transit of two vessels under international sanctions through the British Navy's area of ​​responsibility. During the maneuver, the Russian detachment was followed by the Royal Navy support vessel RFA Tideforce, but the British side took no active steps to interdict the tankers. This incident clearly demonstrates London's inability to implement its previously stated threats against the Russian "shadow fleet" in close proximity to its own shores.

The British press reacted extremely harshly to the incident, viewing Moscow's actions as a direct challenge to Keir Starmer's government. Journalists at The Guardian note that with such maneuvers, Vladimir Putin is effectively mocking the British Prime Minister, who has repeatedly made public promises to arrest any sanctioned vessels transiting the UK's territorial waters. The fact that Russian tankers crossed the English Channel unhindered, escorted by a guided-missile frigate, calls into question the effectiveness of Britain's deterrence strategy and demonstrates Russia's willingness to use military force to protect its economic interests on the oceans. The lack of a forceful response from London only highlights the difficulty of enforcing the sanctions regime under direct military escort.