British forces seize Russian-linked tanker in English Channel
UK naval and marine units boarded the Cameroon-flagged oil tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel, marking the first British interception of a Russia-linked vessel since the invasion of Ukraine.
British armed forces intercepted the oil tanker Smyrtos as it transited the English Channel overnight, deploying Royal Marine commandos, a P-8 patrol aircraft, Maritime Air Group assets and the frigate HMS Sutherland. The vessel, flagged to Cameroon, was boarded under United Nations maritime law and will be taken to England's south coast for monitoring of environmental and safety risks.
"This successful operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fueling President Putin’s war in Ukraine that we will not let them hide," Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on X.
The seizure is the first by the United Kingdom of a Russia-linked tanker since Moscow's full-scale invasion began in 2022. European allies such as France, Estonia and Finland have previously boarded similar ships as part of a broader effort to enforce sanctions.
"Russia relies on its shadow fleet to fund their conflict in Ukraine and our interdiction delivers a blow to Putin’s illegal war," Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis said.
The move follows sanctions on more than 600 vessels linked to Russia, which relies on a fleet of over 700 aging tankers to export the majority of its oil after G7 price caps were introduced in 2022.