British armed forces intercepted a Russian shadow fleet vessel in the Channel in the early hours of Sunday, the Prime Minister announced. The Ministry of Defence confirmed that Royal Marine commandos and specially trained law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency boarded the sanctioned oil tanker Smyrtos during a six-hour operation. This marks the first UK-led operation of its kind.
The vessel will be provisionally moved to an anchorage off the south coast of England and monitored for any environmental or safety concerns. The operation was supported by aircraft from the Maritime Air Group, including Chinooks, Merlin Mk4 and Wildcat helicopters, an RAF P-8 aircraft, and Royal Navy ships HMS Sutherland and HMS Ledbury.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated: "This operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fuelling President Putin’s war in Ukraine that they cannot hide. I pay tribute to all those involved, including our armed forces and law enforcement officers who keep this country safe 24 hours a day, 365 days a year."
Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis added: "Operations like this require skill, professionalism and courage. I pay tribute to our armed forces personnel and all those involved. Russia relies on its shadow fleet to fund their conflict in Ukraine and our interdiction delivers a blow to Putin’s illegal war."
