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UK intercepts Russian 'shadow fleet' tanker in English Channel for first time
🇪🇬 Egypt /Economy & Trade

UK intercepts Russian 'shadow fleet' tanker in English Channel for first time

From Egypt Independent · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • The UK military intercepted a Russian "shadow fleet" oil tanker in the English Channel, marking the first such operation by British forces.
  • Prime Minister Keir Starmer directed the interception, stating it strikes a blow against Russia and those funding Putin's war in Ukraine.
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy applauded the action and called for legislative steps to confiscate Russian oil, while a Kremlin envoy dismissed the interception as a distraction from the UK's migrant crisis.

In a significant move against Russia's oil trade, the UK military has intercepted a tanker linked to its "shadow fleet" in the English Channel. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the operation, emphasizing it as a direct action against Russia's ability to fund its war in Ukraine. This marks the first time British forces have conducted such an interception.

In the early hours of this morning, I directed our Armed Forces to intercept a shadow fleet oil tanker attempting to pass through the English Channel. This successful operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fueling Putin’s war in Ukraine that we will not let them hide.

— Keir StarmerAnnouncing the interception of the Russian oil tanker.

The targeted vessel is the Cameroon-flagged Smyrtos, which had previously been sanctioned by the UK for its role in transporting Russian oil, a practice often used to circumvent international sanctions. Commandos and the UK's National Crime Agency were involved in boarding the ship. Ship tracking data indicates the Smyrtos departed a Russian port on June 11 and was en route to Port Said, Egypt.

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.

— Volodymyr ZelenskyyApplauding the UK's action and calling for further measures against Russian oil.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the UK's action, urging Europe to implement legislative measures not only to detain tankers but also to confiscate the oil they carry. Conversely, a Kremlin envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, characterized the interception as a political maneuver by Starmer to divert attention from the UK's domestic issues, specifically its migrant crisis.

Starmer was “using the detention of a tanker as a distraction from the (UK’s) migrant crisis.”

— Kirill DmitrievA Kremlin envoy's reaction to the interception.

The interception occurred shortly after the appointment of a new Defense Secretary, Dan Jarvis, who reiterated the government's stance, stating, "Russia relies on its shadow fleet to fund their conflict in Ukraine and our interdiction delivers a blow to Putin’s illegal war."

Russia relies on its shadow fleet to fund their conflict in Ukraine and our interdiction delivers a blow to Putin’s illegal war.

— Dan JarvisThe UK Defense Secretary commenting on the interception.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Egypt Independent in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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