Britain seizes Russian "shadow fleet" tanker

British armed forces have seized a tanker operating within Russia's "shadow fleet," a fleet of vessels used to circumvent international sanctions on Russian oil exports. The operation, which lasted six hours, involved Royal Marines commandos and specially trained law enforcement officers, supported by the Royal Air Force.

The tanker, identified as Smyrtos, is now under detention and surveillance off the southern coast of England, with investigations ongoing, according to the British Ministry of Defence. Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared the successful operation a further blow to Russia, warning those who fuel Putin's war in Ukraine that they will not be allowed to hide.

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The successful operation delivers another blow to Russia and reminds those who fuel Putin's war in Ukraine that we will not allow them to hide.

"Russia relies on its shadow fleet to fund the conflict in Ukraine, and this interdiction operation is a blow to Putin's illegal war," stated new Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis. The operation was supported by aircraft from the Maritime Air Group, an RAF P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, and the warships HMS Sutherland and HMS Ledbury.

Russia utilizes the "shadow fleet" of tankers with opaque ownership to bypass international sanctions on its oil exports. The British Ministry of Defence estimates this fleet comprises over 700 ships and transports approximately 75% of sanctioned Russian oil, serving as a critical financial lifeline for the Kremlin. The United Kingdom has already imposed sanctions on more than 500 vessels linked to this fleet.

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Russia relies on its shadow fleet to fund the conflict in Ukraine, and this interdiction operation is a blow to Putin's illegal war.