British armed forces have intercepted and detained a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the English Channel, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said.
The vessel, identified as Smyrtos, was boarded during a six-hour operation in the early hours of Sunday involving Royal Marine Commandos, National Crime Agency officers and Royal Air Force support.
The Ministry of Defence said the tanker would be held and monitored off England’s south coast while investigations continue.
Announcing the operation, Starmer said: “This successful operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fuelling Putin’s war in Ukraine that we will not let them hide.”
According to the Ministry of Defence, Russia has relied on a so-called shadow fleet of more than 700 vessels to bypass international sanctions on its oil exports. The government said the fleet is responsible for transporting about 75% of Russia’s sanctioned oil and remains a major source of revenue for the Kremlin.
The operation follows measures announced by Starmer in March allowing British forces to board sanctioned vessels passing through UK waters.
The UK has imposed sanctions on more than 500 vessels linked to Russia’s oil trade. The restrictions prevent the ships from entering UK ports and ban British companies and individuals from providing financial, insurance or brokerage services connected to Russian oil shipments.
Sunday’s operation involved aircraft from the Maritime Air Group, an RAF P-8 surveillance aircraft, as well as Royal Navy warships HMS Sutherland and HMS Ledbury.
Data from MarineTraffic showed Smyrtos sailing under a Cameroon flag and anchored in the English Channel.
Attorney General Richard Hermer said: “This government made clear that we would pursue Russia’s shadow fleet under the full force of international law.”
The government said the crackdown is aimed at reducing Russia’s oil revenues and limiting funding for its military operations in Ukraine.
The Ministry of Defence said the operation was carried out in close co-ordination with France. It follows a similar action announced by French President Emmanuel Macron on 1 June, when French forces intercepted a sanctioned tanker suspected of being part of Russia’s shadow fleet with support from the UK.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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