British forces boarded and seized a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker trying to transit the English Channel, Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed on Sunday (March 30).
Starmer wrote on social media platform X: "This successful operation strikes another blow against Russia and reminds those who enable President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine that we will not let them escape."
The UK Ministry of Defence also confirmed the seizure of the tanker Smyrtos early Sunday. Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis said: "Operations like this require skill, professionalism, and courage. I pay tribute to our armed forces and everyone involved."
According to the UK Ministry of Defence, the operation lasted six hours and the vessel will be "temporarily moved to a mooring off the south coast of England and will be monitored for any environmental or safety concerns."
Last month, the French navy, with UK support, intercepted a suspected shadow fleet oil tanker flying a fake Cameroonian flag, French authorities said. Earlier, in January, French forces seized another suspected Russian oil tanker named Grinch. In March, the Deyna, which sailed from Murmansk under a Mozambican flag, was detained in Marseille.
Oil revenue is the main pillar of Russia’s economy, helping to cover the costs of a war that has lasted more than four years in Ukraine. Russia is believed to use hundreds of vessels to evade international sanctions related to the conflict. The UK and other nations have pledged to crack down on the "shadow fleet" that breaks sanctions.
According to the UK Ministry of Defence, Britain has imposed sanctions on more than 500 ships to date. These measures are having an impact, with Russia’s oil and gas revenue in 2025 down 24% from the previous year. Many Western countries have imposed sanctions on Russian ships following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
President Putin has condemned the seizure of Russia-linked ships as "piracy."
