UK reveals details of first operation to intercept Russian tanker

Olha Kovalchuk, Roman Petrenko - 14 June, 12:02

Stock photo: Getty Images

The UK has intercepted the Russian shadow fleet vessel Smyrtos in the English Channel, marking London's first operation against a sanctioned Russian tanker.

Source: a press release by the UK Ministry of Defence, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The ministry said that on the morning of 14 June, Royal Marines and specially trained officers from the National Crime Agency boarded the tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel.

Quote: "The military operation, which lasted 6 hours, was supported with aircraft from the Maritime Air Group (Chinooks, Merlin Mk4 and Wildcat), an RAF P-8 aircraft, as well as HMS SUTHERLAND and HMS LEDBURY."

Details: The Russian shadow fleet tanker will be temporarily moved to an anchorage off the south coast of England, where it will be inspected for environmental and safety risks. The Ministry of Defence said the measures taken against the vessel in UK territorial waters were carried out in accordance with national and international law.

"Russia relies on its shadow fleet to fund their conflict in Ukraine and our interdiction delivers a blow to Putin's illegal war," UK Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis said.

Details: The ministry said the operation built on recent UK support for allied efforts to intercept shadow fleet vessels, including the use of Royal Air Force and Royal Navy assets in support of US and French operations. The interception was conducted in close coordination with France.

Background:

In March, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the Armed Forces and law enforcement agencies of the UK will be able to intercept and detain sanctioned vessels from Russia's shadow fleet transiting through British waters.
The UK has repeatedly taken part in French operations targeting sanctioned Russian shadow fleet tankers. The most recent such operation took place on 31 May in the Atlantic Ocean. The Russian shadow fleet oil tanker Tagor was intercepted over 400 nautical miles (740 km) west of the westernmost point of Brittany.

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