British forces intercepted and detained the Russian oil tanker SMYRTOS in the English Channel, a move directed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The operation, described as the first UK-led interdiction of its kind, targets Russia's 'shadow fleet' used to evade sanctions.
The interception of the SMYRTOS demonstrates the UK's commitment to enforcing sanctions against Russia and disrupting its ability to fund the war in Ukraine by targeting its 'shadow fleet'.
British armed forces intercepted and detained the Russian oil tanker SMYRTOS in the English Channel early Sunday morning, in what the government described as the "first UK-led operation of its kind." Prime Minister Keir Starmer directed the operation, stating on social media that it delivered "yet another blow to Russia" and should remind those fueling Putin's war in Ukraine that they "will not let them hide."
Royal Marine Commandos and law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency, supported by helicopters and Royal Navy ships, boarded the vessel. The SMYRTOS will be moved to anchor off the UK's south coast, where authorities will monitor it for safety and environmental concerns.
The operation targets Russia's "shadow fleet," a network of tankers with opaque ownership structures used to circumvent Western sanctions on its oil industry. These sanctions prevent Moscow from chartering or insuring tankers unless it complies with certain restrictions. The UK has sanctioned over 544 vessels associated with this fleet, which carries a significant portion of Russia's sanctioned oil exports.
Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis praised the personnel involved, stating that Russia relies on its shadow fleet to fund its conflict in Ukraine and that this interdiction delivers another blow to Putin's illegal war. Similar operations against shadow fleet vessels have been conducted by Joint Expeditionary Force allies in the Baltic Sea.