Britain has made good on its threats to intercept attempts by Russia to break oil sanctions as U.K. armed forces seized a shadow fleet vessel in the English Channel.
On Sunday Royal Marine Commandos and representatives from the National Crime Agency (NCA) boarded the oil tanker Smyrtos and took charge of the vessel, now being held off the South Coast pending further investigations. A video released by the MoD showed armed personnel boarding the vessel by fast-roping from a helicopter.
Royal Navy Type 23 frigate HMS Sutherland, MCM vessel HMS Ledbury, Chinook, Merlin and Wildcat helicopters from the Maritime Air Group, and an RAF P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft were involved in the six-hour operation.
As per a press statement from the U.K. Ministry of Defence, the enforcement action, which was conducted in close coordination with France, took place in international waters and was carried out in accordance with domestic and international law.
The Smyrtos had been sailing under a Cameroon flag, but had been expelled from the African country’s registry, leaving it legally stateless. It is believed to be carrying more than 100,000 tonnes of Russian crude oil.
NCA officers have arrested an Indian national, 38, on suspicion of sanctions offences under the Russia Regulations; he has been taken into custody; 24 Georgian and Indian crew remain aboard and are said to be “assisting with the investigation.”
Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis said: “Russia relies on its shadow fleet to fund their conflict in Ukraine and our interdiction delivers a blow to Putin’s illegal war.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer commented: “This operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fuelling Putin’s war in Ukraine that they cannot hide.”
On social media platform X Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said: “I am grateful to the UK for taking this important step against Russia’s oil fleet.”
- You can read more details on the U.K. Government website