RismadarVoice Reporters, June 14, 2026
British authorities have intercepted and seized a tanker believed to be linked to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” during an operation in the English Channel, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed on Sunday that the vessel, identified as the Smyrtos, was stopped while attempting to transit the busy waterway. He described the operation as a significant blow against efforts to support Russia’s war in Ukraine, stating that the UK would continue to target networks helping finance the conflict.
The Ministry of Defence said the six-hour operation involved Royal Marine Commandos, officials from the National Crime Agency, and support from military aircraft, including Chinook helicopters, as well as naval vessels such as a frigate and a minehunter. The tanker, which was sailing under the Cameroon flag, was boarded and brought under control by British forces.
Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis praised the operation, commending the personnel involved and stressing that vessels connected to Russia’s sanctions-evasion network would continue to face enforcement action. He added that the so-called shadow fleet plays a key role in sustaining Russia’s oil revenues amid ongoing international sanctions.
Following the seizure, the vessel is expected to be moved to a designated anchorage off the southern coast of England, where it will remain under monitoring for safety and environmental assessments.
The UK government has intensified efforts in recent months to disrupt maritime routes allegedly used to bypass sanctions. French authorities, with British support, previously intercepted a similar tanker suspected of operating under false registration, while other vessels linked to the network have been detained across Europe.
Officials say Russia’s use of a large fleet of covertly operated tankers is designed to evade restrictions imposed after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Western governments, including the UK, have imposed sanctions on hundreds of vessels as part of a coordinated crackdown.
Moscow, however, has condemned such seizures, describing them as unlawful acts targeting commercial shipping.
