Key facts
- The UK seized the Russian "shadow fleet" oil tanker MT Smyrtos in the English Channel.
- The operation was conducted by Royal Marine Commandos.
- The captain of the MT Smyrtos has been charged with breaching Russian sanctions.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened retaliation against Western countries for seizing Russian vessels.
- The UK government stated its actions were in accordance with international law.
- The EU has sanctioned over 630 shadow fleet vessels.
The UK government has defended its decision to seize a Russian "shadow fleet" oil tanker in the English Channel, following a threat from Russian President Vladimir Putin to retaliate. The vessel, MT Smyrtos, was intercepted and boarded by Royal Marine Commandos in June as part of efforts to disrupt sanctioned Russian oil exports.
Putin, overseeing Russian navy drills, condemned the seizure of Russian vessels as "piracy and banditry" and warned of a response "wherever we deem it necessary and appropriate." Viktor Liina, commander of Russia's Pacific Fleet, accused Western countries of operating their own "shadow fleets" and possessing the capacity to inspect and detain vessels of "unfriendly states."
A UK government spokesperson asserted that the boarding of the Smyrtos was conducted "in full accordance with international law," aiming to disrupt maritime activity that fuels Russia's war in Ukraine. The spokesperson contrasted UK actions with Russia's shadow fleet, stating that UK forces operate within international maritime law.
Western nations allege that Russia employs a "shadow fleet" of over 700 vessels to evade sanctions on its oil exports, which is described by the UK Ministry of Defence as a "critical lifeline for the Kremlin." The European Union has also intensified its pressure, sanctioning more than 630 shadow fleet vessels since 2024, banning them from EU ports. Several individual European countries have also seized or detained Russian-linked vessels suspected of sanctions violations.