Britain detains sanctioned oil tanker suspected of ties to Russia's shadow fleet

Armed British forces have boarded and detained a sanctioned oil tanker in the English Channel, suspected of being part of Russia's "shadow fleet" that illicitly transports oil. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the operation Sunday, stating it delivers a blow to those fueling Russia's war in Ukraine. Royal Marine commandos rappelled from helicopters onto the vessel, identified as the Smyrtos, in what the U.K. Defense Ministry described as the first operation of its kind led by the United Kingdom.

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This operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fueling Putin's war in Ukraine that they cannot hide.

The Smyrtos, sailing under a Cameroon flag, departed from the Russian Baltic port of Ust-Luga on June 5, bound for Port Said, Egypt, according to MarineTraffic. U.K. authorities stated that such operations directly target the resources sustaining Russia's aggression and aim to reduce its capacity to threaten European security. The vessel will be held and monitored off England's south coast for investigation. This action was carried out in close coordination with French authorities, who have also intercepted vessels linked to the shadow fleet.

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It was Russia's hubris, fueled by high oil and gas revenues, that paved the way for this war, and every decision by partners that deprives Russia of money also limits the war itself.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Starmer and the British people for their "principled resolve." He commented that Russia's "hubris, fueled by high oil and gas revenues," led to the war, and that depriving Russia of money limits its war-making capacity. Zelenskyy urged Europe to take legislative steps not only to detain tankers and restrict oil shipments but also to confiscate the oil they carry. The operation highlights ongoing international efforts to enforce sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

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Europe urgently needs to take legislative steps to enable not only the detention of tankers and restrictions on oil shipments, but also the confiscation of the oil they carry.