Key facts
- British armed forces intercepted the Russian oil tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel.
- The operation involved Royal Marine Commandos and the National Crime Agency.
- The Smyrtos will be held and monitored off the south coast for environmental and safety concerns.
- The interception is the first time a Russian shadow fleet vessel has been interdicted in British waters.
- Russia's shadow fleet, comprising over 700 vessels, carries roughly 75% of Russia's sanctioned oil.
- The Forwarder, a Russian-flagged tanker, entered the English Channel after the Smyrtos boarding.
British armed forces intercepted a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker, the Smyrtos, in the English Channel during an operation involving Royal Marine Commandos and the National Crime Agency. The tanker, which was sailing without a registered flag in breach of international law, will be held and monitored off the south coast. This marks the first time a Russian shadow fleet vessel has been interdicted in British waters. The shadow fleet, comprising over 700 vessels, is responsible for transporting approximately 75% of Russia's sanctioned oil exports, enabling the Kremlin to generate funds for its war in Ukraine. Following the interception of the Smyrtos, another Russian-flagged tanker, Forwarder, entered the English Channel en route to China, representing the first transit by a sanctioned 'shadow fleet' vessel since the Smyrtos boarding. Experts suggest the UK is unlikely to intercept the Forwarder due to potential geopolitical escalation.