British armed forces have intercepted a Russian “shadow fleet” oil tanker in the English Channel in a six-hour early morning operation involving Royal Marine Commandos, the National Crime Agency and Royal Air Force support, the UK government has announced.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the vessel, identified as Smyrtos, is being held and monitored off the south coast of England as investigations continue into its activities.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed the operation, describing it as part of efforts to disrupt networks supporting Russia’s oil exports and its war in Ukraine.
“This successful operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fuelling Putin’s war in Ukraine that we will not let them hide,” he said.
According to maritime tracking data, the tanker sails under a Cameroon flag and was anchored in the English Channel at the time of interception.
The MoD said the operation involved Royal Marine Commandos boarding the vessel alongside specially trained officers from the National Crime Agency, with aerial and naval support provided by an RAF P-8 aircraft and Royal Navy ships including HMS Sutherland and HMS Ledbury.
Officials said the interception forms part of wider efforts targeting Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” of more than 700 vessels used to circumvent international sanctions on oil exports. The government estimates that the fleet is responsible for transporting around 75% of sanctioned Russian oil.
The UK has already sanctioned more than 500 vessels under measures that prohibit entry into British ports and restrict access to financial, insurance and brokerage services linked to Russian oil shipments.
Attorney General Richard Hermer said the government was acting within international law to disrupt such operations, insisting the UK would continue targeting the shadow fleet to restrict funding for Russia’s war effort.
The operation comes amid broader political tension over Britain’s defence investment plan, which has seen resignations from senior figures in recent days, including former Defence Secretary John Healey and Armed Forces Minister Al Carns, who both raised concerns about funding and ambition.
Despite the political fallout, the interception was carried out in coordination with French authorities. French President Emmanuel Macron had previously confirmed joint UK–France activity targeting a suspected shadow fleet tanker earlier this month, underscoring increased cooperation between the two countries on maritime enforcement.
