UK forces intercepted the Smyrtos, a Russian shadow fleet tanker, in the English Channel early Saturday. The vessel is now anchored off Dorset.
7:18 PM
British Royal Marines seized a Russian shadow fleet tanker in the English Channel early Saturday, in what authorities described as the first operation of its kind conducted in British waters.
A team of Royal Marines descended onto the bridge of the Smyrtos before dawn, equipped with assault rifles and night-vision goggles. The operation lasted approximately six hours, after which the vessel came under control of UK armed forces and was anchored off Dorset in southern England.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the interception shortly after 9 a.m. local time on Saturday. "In the early hours of this morning, I ordered our armed forces to intercept a shadow fleet tanker attempting to transit the English Channel," Starmer said in a statement posted on social media. "This successful operation strikes another significant blow against Russia and serves as a reminder to those fueling Putin's war in Ukraine that we will not allow them to hide."
Starmer thanked all those involved in the operation, including armed forces personnel and law enforcement agencies responsible for the country's security.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded positively to the seizure. "Every decision by our partners that deprives Russia of financial resources also limits the war itself," Zelensky said, expressing gratitude for the action. He called on Europe to adopt legislative measures that would enable the confiscation of Russian oil, extending enforcement beyond interception.
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