British forces intercept Russian oil tanker in English Channel
Royal Marines have stormed a Russian “shadow fleet” oil tanker as Sir Keir Starmer warns Putin’s allies they “cannot hide,” reports BritPanorama.
In a “first of its kind” six-hour mission, British forces boarded the covert vessel in the early hours of this morning in the English Channel. The operation involved Royal Marine commandos and specialists from the National Crime Agency.
The Russian vessel, identified as Smyrtos, is part of a shadow fleet that utilizes older, poorly maintained vessels to smuggle sanctioned oil globally. These ships often evade detection by turning off tracking systems, falsifying location data, and conducting ship-to-ship transfers at sea to obscure the oil’s origin.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed that Smyrtos will be relocated and anchored off the southern coast of England. The operation was supported by multiple aircraft from the Maritime Air Group, including Chinooks, a Merlin Mk4, and an RAF P-8 aircraft. Additionally, HMS Sutherland and HMS Ledbury were deployed to assist in intercepting the tanker.
Sir Keir Starmer took to X to announce the operation, stating, “In the early hours of this morning, I directed our Armed Forces to intercept a shadow fleet oil tanker attempting to pass through the English Channel. 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. I want to thank those involved, including our Armed Forces and law enforcement officers who keep this country safe 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”
This mission underscores the UK’s ongoing commitment to countering Russian aggression and demonstrates the lengths to which British forces will go to maintain operational security in the region.
The interception of the Smyrtos adds a new chapter to the complex maritime strategies employed in response to international sanctions against Russia. As geopolitical tensions continue to evolve, the actions of the UK and its allies reflect a robust stance against illicit maritime activities and support for Ukraine.
