- UK forces (Royal Marine commandos and specially trained National Crime Agency officers) boarded the sanctioned Russian-linked oil tanker SMYRTOS (sometimes spelled Smyrtos) in the English Channel in the early hours of Sunday morning.
- The operation lasted about six hours, supported by RAF aircraft, helicopters, and Royal Navy assets. It was coordinated with France.
- The vessel is now under British control and anchored off England’s south coast for further investigations and checks.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that he directed the military to intercept the ship, describing it as part of efforts against Russia’s “shadow fleet.” Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis called it a significant step in disrupting Kremlin revenue streams.
Background: Russia’s Shadow Fleet
Russia operates a large “shadow fleet” of hundreds of tankers (often with opaque ownership, flags of convenience, and insurance gaps) to export oil while evading Western sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine. These vessels are estimated to carry around 75% of Russia’s sanctioned crude, helping fund the war.
- The UK (and allies) have sanctioned over 500 such ships.
- In March 2026, the UK authorized forces to board and detain these vessels in British waters, including the English Channel (a key chokepoint). This was the first UK-led boarding operation of its kind.
- Shadow fleet ships have previously transited the Channel, sometimes escorted by Russian warships, prompting UK shadowing operations but limited prior enforcement.
This action is framed by the UK government as a direct blow to Putin’s war economy. It has drawn praise from some quarters but also domestic criticism in the UK over priorities (e.g., compared to small boat crossings in the same waters).
