British Royal Marines, supported by the National Crime Agency and the Royal Air Force, boarded the sanctioned tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel during a six-hour operation early on Sunday.
According to the UK Ministry of Defence, the vessel is suspected of being part of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet used to transport oil in circumvention of international sanctions. The tanker is now being held off England’s southern coast while investigations continue.
The operation, described as the first of its kind by UK armed forces, took place in international waters more than 12 nautical miles from the British coastline. Video released by the MoD showed personnel boarding the vessel from a helicopter and conducting searches onboard.
Tracking data indicates that Smyrtos, sailing under the Cameroon flag, departed Russia’s Ust-Luga oil terminal on June 5. The vessel was sanctioned in 2025 and has since changed both its name and flag registration.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the interception was intended to increase pressure on Russia and those involved in supporting its oil exports despite sanctions.
Sir Keir Starmer said: “This successful operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fuelling Putin’s war in Ukraine that we will not let them hide.”
There was no immediate response from Moscow, which has previously described similar interceptions as illegal and “bordering on international piracy”.
The military operation, which lasted 6 hours, was supported with aircraft from the Maritime Air Group (Chinooks, Merlin Mk4 and Wildcat), an RAF P-8 aircraft, as well as HMS SUTHERLAND and HMS LEDBURY.
The Prime Minister agreed in March that British Armed Forces and law enforcement officers were able to board shadow fleet vessels, in accordance with international law.
The SMYRTOS will be provisionally moved to an anchorage off the South Coast of England and will be monitored for any environmental or safety concerns.
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.”
The operation builds on recent support provided by the UK to its allies to interdict shadow fleet vessels, which included RAF and Royal Navy capabilities supporting US and French operations. Today’s operation was conducted in close coordination with the French.
Responsible for carrying 75% of Russia’s sanctioned oil, the shadow fleet of over 700 vessels provides a critical lifeline for the Kremlin, generating a war fund that supplies missiles and drones targeting innocent Ukrainian civilians and sustaining Russia’s illegal war.
