British officials anticipate that Russia will retaliate following the Royal Marines' seizure of the oil tanker Smyrtos, prompting heightened vigilance among UK ship owners. The vessel, carrying Russian crude worth $40 million (£30 million) to India, was captured on Sunday off the Isle of Wight on the orders of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Military sources indicate that the UK had considered possible Russian responses and expects the Kremlin to seek revenge. “Seizing the Smyrtos was in the works for a long period. They had gone through the risks, and expectation is Russia will try to retaliate,” said a naval insider. “If they do so, it could be globally. They are likely to take their time and pick their moment.”
No formal warning has been issued to British captains and ship owners, but the UK Chamber of Shipping acknowledged the increased risk. “We are aware of the increased risk and owners assess the risk for themselves,” said a spokesperson. “From an industry perspective, a greater vigilance is more prevalent, given the events of the last few days.”
The seizure marks the first time British forces have detained a Russia-linked oil tanker, targeting Moscow's shadow fleet of about 600 vessels that transport half its crude oil exports. The Smyrtos was seized for being falsely registered under the flag of Cameroon, making it legally stateless. Its Indian captain has been charged with breaching UK sanctions on Russia.
Tensions escalated further on Tuesday when a Russian frigate, the Admiral Grigorovich, fired warning shots near a British yacht in the Channel. The Ministry of Defence did not view this as retaliation but noted heightened Russian nervousness amid deepening tensions over UK support for Ukraine. Previous tit-for-tat seizures include Iran's detention of the Stena Impero in 2019 after the UK seized an Iranian tanker in Gibraltar.
The Department for Transport, responsible for issuing security notices to ship owners, remains in constant contact with the industry to provide the latest advice, though it does not comment on specific details.
