UK defence secretary John Healey MP and attorney general Richard Hermer KC convened legal representatives from Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) nations to discuss the legal framework for military action to counter Russian “shadow fleet” activity.

The meeting brought together experts from across JEF partner nations to examine legal options and work towards a shared strategic understanding of the legal basis for countering Russian “shadow fleet” activity in accordance with international law, UK’s defence ministry said in its release Wednesday.

It follows a meeting with JEF nations at Munich Security Conference, convened by the defence secretary to discuss military options.

UK’s defence secretary John Healey MP said: “As we enter the fifth year of Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine, we’re stepping up the pressure on Putin, by choking off the funds that fuel his invasion and targeting shadow fleet vessels. I’m proud of the UK’s leading role in JEF, as we step up together to tackle the threats we face in this new era for defence.”

This year, the UK has worked alongside US and French allies to tackle the so-called “shadow fleet” activity.

According to reports, the UK has now imposed sanctions on 544 Russian “shadow fleet” vessels.

Russia’s critical oil revenues are down 27% compared to October 2024, the UK ministry of defence claims, adding that this is the lowest level since the start of the war.