British armed forces intercept Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in Channel | Ministry of Defence
British armed forces intercepted and boarded a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the Channel early on Sunday, Keir Starmer has confirmed.
In a six-hour operation, the first of its kind carried out by the UK, Royal Marine commandos and National Crime Agency officers boarded and seized control of the Smyrtos ship, which was sailing under the Cameroonian flag.
According to tracking site Maritime TrafficThe ship is currently anchored off the Dorset coast near Weymouth. It will be monitored due to environmental or safety concerns, officials said.
British officials say the Smyrtos is one of 700 ships in the shadow fleet that carries 75% of Russia’s sanctioned oil. The fleet provides Russia with what analysts say is a critical lifeline; allowing oil to be sold and funds raised to continue the war against Ukraine.
Sunday morning’s operation marks the first time the UK has led such an initiative; It had previously provided support to the French army, which carried out a similar operation in the Atlantic.
Writing about X, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he had instructed the armed forces to stop the oil tanker trying to head towards the Canal.
“This successful operation deals another blow to Russia and reminds those who fueled Putin’s war in Ukraine that we will not allow them to hide,” he said. “I want to thank everyone involved, including our armed forces and law enforcement, who keep this country safe 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”
Dan Jarvis, who became defense secretary following the resignation of John Healey last week, said: “Operations like this require skill, professionalism and courage. I pay tribute to our armed forces personnel and everyone involved.
“Russia relies on its stay-behind fleet to finance the conflict in Ukraine, and our ban deals a blow to Putin’s illegal war.”
The Ministry of Defense said the military operation was supported by Maritime Air Group aircraft (Chinooks, Merlin Mk4 and Wildcat), RAF P-8 aircraft and HMS Sutherland and HMS Ledbury.
Describing it as “a blow to Putin’s war chest”, the Ministry of Defense said that the operation was “carried out in close cooperation with the French”. It was stated that England, which imposed sanctions on more than 500 ships, was the leader in the fight against the shadow fleet. “These sanctions are working,” the ministry said, and Russia’s oil and gas revenues will fall by 24% on an annual basis in 2025.
Starmer announced in March that British armed forces “are now able to board sanctioned ships passing through our waters.”
Writing on LinkedInAttorney General Richard Hermer said: “This government has made clear that we will pursue Russia’s stay-behind fleet with the full force of international law.
“Russia relies on stay-behind fleet tankers to finance the conflict in Ukraine, and this skillfully implemented ban deals a new blow to Putin’s war machine. I express my gratitude to the extraordinary courage and professionalism of our Armed Forces personnel and everyone involved.”
Al Carns, who resigned as armed forces minister on Thursday night, told the BBC: “While I was sleeping safely last night, sailors and Navy and Air Force personnel in helicopters were flying low over the sea, rearing up in front of the ship, quickly attaching to it, securing it and then taking it to our territorial waters. A magnificent operation, superbly carried out by our Royal Marines and others.”
When asked why such measures were not taken before, Carns said that there was previously a Russian frigate in the Canal protecting some of the incoming ships. “It was about getting to the right parameters to make sure everything from legal to cargo met the boarding requirements,” he said.
“We’ve actually helped America, France and many other countries get on board these ships. And I think now that the first one has happened, we’ll probably see more if we get the opportunity to introduce themselves.”
