Russia has threatened to rig its sanctions-busting tankers with explosives to deter interference from other countries, following the UK's interception of a Russian oil vessel in the English Channel.
UK Intercepts Russian Tanker
Earlier today, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed he authorized the interception of the Russian vessel 'SMYRTOS' by UK armed forces. The ship was seized after departing the oil-exporting port of Ust-Luga in the Baltic Sea on June 1 and is now being held off the south coast of England.
Kremlin Official's Threat
Dmitry Rogozin, a senator and former Russian representative to NATO, called for Russia to mine its shadow fleet tankers and trigger explosions if the Royal Navy seizes them. 'We need to mine the tankers we use,' he said, suggesting bombs be detonated if tankers deviate from their routes and reach a foreign port. 'If a couple of explosions happen under their noses with oil spills and related environmental consequences, they'll soon change their minds,' he added.
Rogozin accused the UK of reverting to 16th-18th century tactics, when it 'actively used pirates in the service of the crown for its political and economic interests.' He claimed these pirates received 'privateer's patents' allowing them to plunder ships and colonies of England's enemies, weakening rivals like Spain and disrupting trade.
Shadow Fleet Operations
After the raid, the SMYRTOS will be provisionally anchored off the English south coast and monitored, according to a joint statement from the Prime Minister, Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis, and the Ministry of Defence. Russia's shadow fleet carries 75% of the country's sanctioned oil, operating under obscure ownership to evade international sanctions. The UK has sanctioned over 500 of its 700 vessels.
Military Support
Today's operation involved the Maritime Air Group, an RAF P-8 aircraft, HMS Sutherland, and HMS Ledbury. In a separate operation on June 1, the UK intercepted another sanctioned oil tanker suspected of being part of the shadow fleet.
Speaking on Sky News, Lisa Nandy said: 'One of the instructions the prime minister gave early on was that he wanted us to be on the front foot, taking decisive action to keep the country safe and deal with the threat posed by Russia. This morning, we've been able to successfully do that. I want to pay tribute to all the Navy officers involved; it is no small achievement, but it is also a significant blow to the Russians.'
