UK seizes Russian shadow fleet vessel in Channel
June 14 2026
"The seizure marks the first time Britain has detained a Russia-linked tanker, amid concerns doing so would cost millions of pounds.
British armed forces early Sunday intercepted a Russian shadow fleet tanker, marking the latest effort by European countries to choke off a key source of Moscow’s oil revenues.
Royal Marine commandos boarded the sanctioned Smyrtos oil tanker as it passed through the English Channel overnight in a six-hour operation, Britain’s defense ministry said in a statement, supported by various military assets including a P-8 patrol plane, Maritime Air Group aircraft and the HMS Sutherland frigate.
“This successful operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fueling [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s war in Ukraine that we will not let them hide,” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a post on X.
The Cameroon-flagged vessel will now be moved to the south coast of England and monitored for any environmental and safety concerns, the ministry said, adding that it was boarded under United Nations maritime law.
The incident marks the first time the U.K. has intercepted a Russia-linked vessel since Moscow began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than four years ago. France, Estonia and Finland have previously boarded suspicious ships, as Ukraine’s European backers increasingly opt for a more muscular approach in enforcing sanctions against Russia." Source
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June 14 2026
"The seizure marks the first time Britain has detained a Russia-linked tanker, amid concerns doing so would cost millions of pounds.
British armed forces early Sunday intercepted a Russian shadow fleet tanker, marking the latest effort by European countries to choke off a key source of Moscow’s oil revenues.
Royal Marine commandos boarded the sanctioned Smyrtos oil tanker as it passed through the English Channel overnight in a six-hour operation, Britain’s defense ministry said in a statement, supported by various military assets including a P-8 patrol plane, Maritime Air Group aircraft and the HMS Sutherland frigate.
“This successful operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fueling [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s war in Ukraine that we will not let them hide,” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a post on X.
The Cameroon-flagged vessel will now be moved to the south coast of England and monitored for any environmental and safety concerns, the ministry said, adding that it was boarded under United Nations maritime law.
The incident marks the first time the U.K. has intercepted a Russia-linked vessel since Moscow began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than four years ago. France, Estonia and Finland have previously boarded suspicious ships, as Ukraine’s European backers increasingly opt for a more muscular approach in enforcing sanctions against Russia." Source
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