The UK navy has intercepted an oil tanker linked to Russia’s shadow fleet within the English Channel, in response to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, within the first such operation by British forces.
“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,” Starmer mentioned in a publish on X.
“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.”
France has beforehand intercepted a number of vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet, which carries Russian oil in defiance of worldwide sanctions.
The tanker seized Sunday is the Cameroon-flagged Smyrtos, which was sanctioned final yr by the UK for its involvement in delivery Russian oil.
Commandos and the UK’s National Crime Agency had been concerned in boarding the ship within the English Channel.
Ship monitoring information reveals that the Smyrtos was within the Russian port of Luga Bay on June 5 and left the Baltic six days later. Its vacation spot was given as Port Said in Egypt.
The interception of the Smyrtos occurred simply days after the PM appointed a brand new Defense Secretary, Dan Jarvis, following the resignation of John Healey from Starmer’s fragile authorities in a dispute over navy budgets.
“Russia relies on its shadow fleet to fund their conflict in Ukraine and our interdiction delivers a blow to Putin’s illegal war,” Jarvis mentioned.