British armed forces intercept Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in Channel
Summary
British forces boarded and took control of a Russian oil tanker, the Smyrtos, in the English Channel in a six-hour operation. The Smyrtos is part of a large group of ships, called the shadow fleet, which carries most of Russia’s oil under sanctions to help fund its war in Ukraine.Key Facts
- The operation was led by the UK with Royal Marine commandos and officers from the National Crime Agency.
- The Smyrtos was sailing under a Cameroonian flag and was stopped as it entered the Channel.
- The vessel is now anchored near Weymouth off the coast of Dorset, where it is being monitored for safety and environmental risk.
- The shadow fleet includes around 700 ships that carry 75% of Russia’s sanctioned oil exports.
- The UK has placed sanctions on over 500 vessels linked to this shadow fleet.
- This was the first time the UK led such a boarding operation, previously supporting similar French missions.
- The operation involved support from military aircraft and naval ships including helicopters and the HMS Sutherland and HMS Ledbury.
- British officials say these efforts reduce Russia’s oil and gas revenues and hinder the funding of its war against Ukraine.
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