UK intercepts oil tanker from Russia's shadow fleet in English Channel
Summary
British forces intercepted a Russian oil tanker, SMYRTOS, in the English Channel as part of an operation to enforce UK sanctions on vessels in Russia's so-called "shadow fleet." The operation involved the Royal Marines and law enforcement and aimed to stop Russia from using these ships to bypass restrictions related to the war in Ukraine.Key Facts
- The UK intercepted the oil tanker SMYRTOS on June 14, 2026, in the English Channel.
- The SMYRTOS is suspected to be part of Russia’s "shadow fleet," a group of vessels used to evade Western sanctions.
- The operation lasted six hours and involved navy ships, helicopters, Royal Marine Commandos, and the National Crime Agency.
- The tanker will be anchored off England’s south coast for monitoring.
- The UK has sanctioned hundreds of vessels believed to support Russia’s war in Ukraine by avoiding embargoes.
- The operation was coordinated closely with France.
- European countries, including France, Belgium, and Finland, have also seized shadow fleet vessels recently.
- The UK government plans new laws to prevent sabotage of undersea internet cables, which are vital for communications and have been damaged in recent years.
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