Key facts
- British armed forces intercepted and detained the sanctioned Russian oil tanker SMYRTOS in the English Channel.
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer directed the six-hour operation.
- The SMYRTOS is suspected of being part of Russia's 'shadow fleet' used to evade sanctions.
- This is the first UK-led operation of its kind against a sanctioned vessel.
- The tanker will be monitored off the UK coast for safety and environmental concerns.
British armed forces intercepted and detained the Russian oil tanker SMYRTOS in the English Channel during a six-hour operation directed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. This marks the first time a vessel from Russia's 'shadow fleet', used to evade sanctions and fund its war in Ukraine, has been interdicted in British waters.
Starmer stated the operation delivers "yet another blow to Russia" and serves as a reminder that those funding the conflict "will not let them hide." The operation involved Royal Marine Commandos and officers from the National Crime Agency, supported by Royal Navy ships HMS Sutherland and HMS Ledbury, along with aircraft.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed the action was taken in UK territorial waters in accordance with domestic and international law. The SMYRTOS, sailing under a Cameroonian flag, is understood to be heading to a location off the Dorset coast for monitoring due to potential environmental or safety concerns. Russia relies on its shadow fleet of over 700 vessels to transport approximately 75% of its sanctioned oil, generating critical revenue for its war efforts.
The operation was conducted in close cooperation with France, and the UK has previously sanctioned over 500 vessels. The Ministry of Defence noted that Russia's oil and gas revenues have fallen by 24% year-on-year in 2025.