Britain detains sanctioned oil tanker believed to be linked to Russia’s shadow fleet
Summary
British forces boarded and detained an oil tanker called the Smyrtos in the English Channel. The tanker is suspected of being part of Russia's "shadow fleet" that breaks international sanctions by shipping oil to fund Moscow’s war in Ukraine.Key Facts
- The Smyrtos tanker is under British control and is being monitored off England’s south coast.
- Armed British Royal Marine commandos boarded the tanker by helicopter.
- The operation is the first of its kind led by the UK, done with help from French authorities.
- The Smyrtos sails under a Cameroon flag and left Russia’s Ust-Luga port on June 5, heading to Egypt.
- Russia uses a fleet of ships, called the "shadow fleet," to avoid sanctions by moving oil secretly.
- The UK says this action targets resources that support Russia’s war in Ukraine.
- Ukrainian President Zelenskyy thanked Britain for its efforts and called for stronger European laws to stop and confiscate oil shipments linked to Russia.
- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed the tanker’s detention and linked it to punishment for breaking sanctions.
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