Britain detains sanctioned oil tanker believed to be linked to Russia’s shadow fleet

LONDON (AP) — Britain Investigation of a sanctioned tanker suspected to be part of Russian “shadow fleet” Transporting oil in violation of international sanctions Moscow’s war against UkraineBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Sunday.

British armed forces boarded and detained the ship Smyrtos in the English Channel on Sunday. In this operation, the country’s Ministry of Defense described it as “the first UK-led operation of its kind”.

According to the statement made by the Ministry of Defense, the ship will be kept and monitored off the south coast of England for investigation purposes. The operation was previously carried out in “close coordination” with French authorities. captured many ships It is associated with the “shadow fleet”.

Russia is believed to be using a fleet of hundreds of ships to evade sanctions for its war against Ukraine.

“This operation deals another blow to Russia and reminds those fueling Putin’s war in Ukraine that they cannot hide,” Starmer said.

UK officials said such operations “put direct pressure on the sources supporting Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and reduce Russia’s capacity to threaten security in Europe and beyond.”