British forces, including Royal Marine Commandos and National Crime Agency specialists, boarded the tanker Smyrtos in a six-hour operation in the English Channel. The MoD said the vessel, flagged to Cameroon, will be detained and monitored off England's south coast while investigations continue. Officials described the action as enforcement against Russia's "shadow fleet," which the MoD says carries around 75% of Russia's sanctioned oil and comprises more than 700 vessels. The operation was conducted in close co-ordination with French forces and supported by RAF and Royal Navy assets.
UK Forces Intercept Russian-Linked Tanker Smyrtos In English Channel, PM Says
The UK has sanctioned more than 500 shadow vessels, the Ministry of Defence said (file pic) [Reuters]
British armed forces intercepted an oil tanker believed to be part of Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" in the English Channel in the early hours of Sunday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the vessel, identified as Smyrtos, was boarded in a coordinated six-hour operation by Royal Marine Commandos and specially trained National Crime Agency officers, with support from Royal Air Force aircraft.
"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," Sir Keir Starmer said.
Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis added:
"Russia relies on its shadow fleet to fund their conflict in Ukraine and our interdiction delivers a blow to Putin's illegal war."
The MoD said the interdiction was supported by Maritime Air Group assets, including an RAF P-8 patrol aircraft, and by Royal Navy ships HMS Sutherland and HMS Ledbury. Tracking data from MarineTraffic indicated Smyrtos was flagged to Cameroon and was at anchor in the English Channel at the time.
The UK government has accused Russia of operating a "shadow fleet" of tankers that try to evade international sanctions on oil exports. The MoD says that fleet comprises more than 700 vessels and carries roughly 75% of Russia's sanctioned oil, providing a critical lifeline to the Kremlin.
In March, the prime minister announced that British forces would be authorised to board sanctioned vessels transiting UK waters. The MoD also said the UK has sanctioned over 500 ships; those measures bar the vessels from UK ports and prohibit British companies and individuals from providing financial, insurance or brokerage services to ships involved in moving Russian oil.
The operation was carried out in close co-ordination with French forces. French President Emmanuel Macron previously said on 1 June that France's military, with UK support, had intercepted a sanctioned tanker suspected of being part of the shadow fleet. The MoD told the BBC that a British helicopter provided assistance during the operation.
The MoD said Smyrtos will be detained and monitored off England's south coast while investigations continue. Officials framed the action as part of broader efforts to restrict Russia's oil revenues and reduce funding for its war in Ukraine.
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