UK seizes Russian tanker in shadow fleet crackdown
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4 months · 2 summary articles
UK seizes Russian tanker in shadow fleet crackdown
UK seizes Russian oil tanker in English Channel, first solo shadow-fleet strike
Follow-up
British armed forces intercepted and boarded a Russian-owned oil tanker linked to Moscow’s shadow fleet in the English Channel early on Sunday, marking the first solo operation by UK forces to disrupt a vessel used to evade sanctions and fund Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The *Smyrtos*, sailing under the Cameroonian flag, was seized off Dover in a six-hour operation conducted by Royal Marine commandos and officers from the National Crime Agency, with support from Chinook helicopters, RAF aircraft, a Royal Navy frigate, and a minehunter. The vessel was carrying Russian crude oil and targeted under sanctions imposed to cut off revenue streams financing the Kremlin’s military campaign in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the UK’s action, writing on X that “it was Russia’s hubris, fuelled by high oil and gas revenues, that paved the way for this war, and every decision by partners that deprives Russia of money also limits the war itself.” He personally thanked British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the British people for the interception, calling it “an important step” in isolating Moscow’s war economy.
The operation underscores London’s escalating efforts to target the shadow fleet—a network of ageing tankers repurposed to transport Russian oil beyond Western sanctions. The UK Defence Ministry confirmed this was the first time British forces had acted alone to stop a vessel in the fleet, which Moscow has relied on to sustain its energy exports despite international restrictions.
The *Smyrtos* is now under inspection for safety and environmental risks, according to reports. The seizure follows growing international pressure to choke off funding for Russia’s war machine, with Kyiv and its allies increasingly targeting the shadow fleet as a critical vulnerability in Moscow’s sanctions evasion strategy.
Keir Starmer, who confirmed the operation in a statement, described it as delivering “yet another blow to Russia and Putin.” The move signals a more assertive posture by the UK in disrupting Russia’s circumvention networks, even as Moscow continues to adapt its tactics to sustain its war effort.
Analysts suggest the interception could set a precedent for further coordinated actions against the shadow fleet, which has become a linchpin in Russia’s efforts to maintain oil revenues despite sweeping Western sanctions. The operation’s success may embolden other Western governments to pursue similar measures, tightening the financial noose around Moscow’s military machine.
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Articles
UK reveals details of first operation to intercept Russian tanker The UK has carried out its first interception of a Russian shadow fleet tanker in the English Channel. The vessel will be inspected for safety and environmental risks.
ukrpravda · 4 months ago
U.K. Intercepts Russian Shadow Fleet Vessel in English Channel The 6-hour operation to intercept the vessel SMYRTOS was supported by aircraft and navy vessels, said the British defense ministry.
themoscowtimes · 4 months ago
British military intercepts Russian shadow fleet tanker in the Channel
gdeltproject.org · 4 months ago
Zelenskyy thanks UK for intercepting Russian shadow fleet oil tanker after armed forces board vessel - as it happened Keir Starmer said British armed forces intercepted a Russian shadow fleet vessel in the early hours of Sunday morningBritish armed forces intercept Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in ChannelUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has thanked the UK for intercepting a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the English Channel, describing it as an important step.It was Russias hubris, fuelled by high oil and gas revenues, that paved the way for this war, and every decision by partners that deprives Russia of money also limits the war itself he wrote in a post on X, in which he personally thanked the British prime minister, Keir Starmer, and all Britons. Continue reading...
theguardian · 4 months ago
UK Forces Seize Russian Shadow Fleet Oil Tanker Britains Defense Ministry said it was the first time that British forces had acted alone to stop a ship in the fleet, a collection of vessels that Russia uses to move fuel and evade sanctions.
new york times · 4 months ago
Starmer posts video showing UK operation against Russian shadow fleet vessel – video Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has thanked the UK and its Prime Minister Keir Starmer after London carried out its first operation to seize a Russian shadow fleet tanker.
ukrpravda · 4 months ago
UK captures Russian shadow fleet vessel while crossing Channel
gdeltproject.org · 4 months ago
UK intercepts oil tanker from Russias shadow fleet in English Channel – The Frontier Post
gdeltproject.org · 4 months ago
U.K. detains oil tanker: Links to Russia shadow fleet
gdeltproject.org · 4 months ago
UK Detains Oil Tanker Believed to Be Tied to Russias Shadow Fleet
gdeltproject.org · 4 months ago
Royal Marines board Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in English Channel Marines were joined by National Crime Agency officers in the six-hour long operation in the early hours of Sunday.
bbc · 4 months ago
UK Detains Sanctioned Oil Tanker Believed to be Linked to Russias Shadow Fleet
gdeltproject.org · 4 months ago
UK Forces seize suspected Russian shadow fleet tanker in English Channel
gdeltproject.org · 4 months ago
British commandos board Russian shadow fleet tanker, Zelensky grateful British armed forces intercepted a sanctioned Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the English Channel on Sunday, for the first time leading an operation to disrupt the oil revenue that helps fund Russias war in Ukraine. The vessel Smyrtos, sailing under the Cameroon flag, was boarded by Royal Marine Commandos and National Crime Agency (NCA) officials in the early hours on Sunday, with support from Chinook helicopters and other aircraft, a frigate and a minehunter. This successful operation...
south china morning post · 4 months ago
British armed forces intercept Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in Channel Keir Starmer says operation involving National Crime Agency has delivered yet another blow to Russia and PutinBritish armed forces intercepted and boarded a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the Channel in the early hours of Sunday, Keir Starmer has confirmed.In a six-hour operation, the first of its kind to be led by the UK, Royal Marine commandos and officers from the National Crime Agency boarded and took control of the vessel, Smyrtos, which was sailing under a Cameroonian flag. Continue reading...
theguardian · 4 months ago
UK intercepts Russian shadow fleet vessel in Channel It is the first time the British navy has boarded an oil tanker sanctioned for its ties to Russia. Defense Secretary Dan Jarvis said the operation was carried out in close coordination with the French.
le monde · 4 months ago