UK Intercepts Russian Sanctioned Oil Tanker in English Channel

British forces intercepted a sanctioned oil tanker belonging to Russia’s 'shadow fleet' in the English Channel on Sunday, according to the UK Defence Ministry. The six-hour operation, which saw the vessel Smyrtos boarded by Royal Marine Commandos and specially trained law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency, was welcomed by Kyiv.

The interception occurred in the early hours, with Navy commandos fast-roping from a helicopter under cover of darkness. The operation involved Chinook, Merlin Mk4, and Wildcat helicopters, a maritime patrol aircraft, the frigate HMS Sutherland, and the minehunter HMS Ledbury. The Defence Ministry stated that the vessel would be moved to an anchorage off the south coast of England and monitored.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga commented on social media that Russia’s shadow fleet is a 'tool of war,' and stopping such vessels reduces funding for Russia’s military operations, including missile and drone attacks. Newly appointed UK Defence Minister Dan Jarvis described the interdiction, carried out in coordination with French counterparts, as a blow to 'Putin’s illegal war,' stating that Russia relies on this fleet to fund its conflict.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed this sentiment, calling the operation 'yet another blow to Russia.' The UK has sanctioned hundreds of vessels suspected of being part of Russia's shadow fleet since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. These ships, often aging tankers with questionable ownership, are prohibited from accessing UK ports and services. Jarvis noted that disrupting this fleet directly impacts the resources sustaining Russia’s aggression.

In March, the UK government announced that British forces would be empowered to board and seize shadow fleet vessels within its waters. This followed Washington's easing of restrictions on Russian oil. Other European countries, including France, Belgium, and Finland, have also recently seized vessels believed to be part of the shadow fleet.

London has previously stated that such ships are suspected of damaging undersea cables in the Baltic Sea on several occasions. The UK government plans to propose new legislation aimed at preventing Russia and other 'hostile states' from sabotaging vital subsea internet cables. A series of incidents involving damaged undersea cables and power lines in the Baltic Sea has been reported since 2023, with military experts and European leaders suggesting Russia has intensified its 'hybrid war' in the region.

These security concerns coincide with pressure on the newly elected UK government, which took office in July 2024, to increase defense spending and prioritize NATO amid a growing threat from Russia. Former defence minister John Healey, who resigned this week due to disagreements over defense funding, had stated in April that armed forces tracked and deterred three Russian submarines in UK waters near vital undersea cables and pipelines. US President Donald Trump has also repeatedly urged NATO allies to spend more and reduce reliance on Washington for security.

(Source: Dawn Pakistan)