Key facts
- Britain's armed forces seized a Russian-sanctioned shadow fleet tanker, Smyrtos, in the English Channel on June 14.
- The vessel was transporting Russian crude oil and petroleum products.
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer authorized the operation, calling it the first UK-led action of its kind.
- The UK Defense Ministry stated that revenue from these vessels funds Russia's war in Ukraine.
- The Smyrtos will be moved to an anchorage off England's south coast for monitoring.
Britain's armed forces boarded and detained a Russian-sanctioned shadow fleet tanker in the English Channel on June 14, marking the first operation of its kind led by the UK. Prime Minister Keir Starmer authorized the interception, which involved Royal Marine Commandos and officers from the National Crime Agency. The vessel, Smyrtos, was transporting Russian crude oil and petroleum products and is subject to sanctions from the EU, UK, Switzerland, Canada, and Ukraine. According to UK Defense Secretary Dan Jarvis, the shadow fleet, comprising over 700 vessels, transports approximately 75% of Russia's sanctioned oil and generates revenue that funds its war effort in Ukraine. Starmer stated on X that the successful operation "delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fueling Putin's war in Ukraine that we will not let them hide." The operation lasted around six hours. The Smyrtos will be moved to an anchorage off the south coast of England for monitoring regarding environmental and safety concerns. The UK has sanctioned nearly 600 Russian shadow fleet vessels to date, with other countries like France, Germany, and Italy also taking action against Russian-linked vessels.