British armed forces intercepted and boarded a Russian-linked oil tanker in the English Channel early on Sunday in a six-hour operation targeting Moscow's so-called shadow fleet, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said.
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The vessel, Smyrtos, was boarded by Royal Marine Commandos and specially trained officers from the National Crime Agency, with support from the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy.
Vessel Held Off English Coast
The Ministry of Defence said the tanker is being held and monitored off England's south coast while investigations continue.
The operation involved aircraft from the Maritime Air Group, an RAF P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, as well as the Royal Navy warships HMS Sutherland and HMS Ledbury.
Officials described the action as part of wider efforts to disrupt Russia's ability to finance its war in Ukraine.
Starmer: Operation Targets Kremlin Funding
Starmer said the interception represented another setback for Russia and those helping to sustain President Vladimir Putin's military campaign.
"This successful operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fueling Putin's war in Ukraine that we will not let them hide," the prime minister said.
Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis said Russia depends on its shadow fleet to generate revenue from oil exports despite international sanctions.
"Russia relies on its shadow fleet to fund their conflict in Ukraine and our interdiction delivers a blow to Putin's illegal war," Jarvis said.
Focus on Russia's Shadow Fleet
Western governments have accused Russia of using a large network of tankers with complex and often opaque ownership arrangements to evade sanctions imposed on its oil exports following the invasion of Ukraine.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the shadow fleet consists of more than 700 vessels and is responsible for transporting around 75% of Russia's sanctioned oil exports, providing a significant source of income for the Kremlin.
The UK government said it has already imposed sanctions on more than 500 vessels linked to the network.
The interception marks the latest effort by Britain and its allies to tighten enforcement measures against Russia's oil trade and limit funding for its military operations in Ukraine.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 14 June 2026