Russian tanker captain remanded into custody after vessel seized in Channel
Summary
The captain of a Russian tanker carrying nearly 100,000 tonnes of oil was arrested after British forces seized the ship in the English Channel. He appeared in court charged with breaking UK sanctions against Russian oil and was kept in custody while the case moves to a higher court.Key Facts
- The ship, named MV Smyrtos, was carrying about 98,000 tonnes of oil from Russia.
- The vessel entered UK waters without a valid national flag, sailing under an expelled Cameroon flag.
- Captain Ajay Pant, an Indian national, was arrested on June 14, 2026.
- He is charged with supplying or delivering prohibited Russian oil in violation of UK sanctions.
- Pant appeared in court by video and did not enter a plea; his lawyer said he was following orders.
- The case will be sent to crown court, where Pant could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
- The tanker was stopped by Royal Marines and the National Crime Agency near the Isle of Wight.
- Around 24 crew members from Georgia and India remain on board the ship, anchored off Dorset.
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