Britain has launched an investigation into a sanctioned oil tanker suspected of being part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” used to bypass international sanctions imposed over the war in Ukraine, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Sunday.
British armed forces boarded and detained the vessel, identified as Smyrtos, in the English Channel in what the UK Defence Ministry described as the first operation of its kind led by Britain.
According to the ministry, the tanker will remain under detention and monitoring off England’s southern coast while authorities conduct further investigations.
The operation was carried out in close coordination with French authorities, who have previously intercepted several vessels believed to be linked to Russia’s shadow fleet.
Western governments believe Russia has been relying on hundreds of ships operating outside conventional oversight to continue exporting oil and circumvent sanctions imposed following its invasion of Ukraine.
Prime Minister Starmer said the operation was another setback for Moscow and a warning to those helping sustain Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war effort.
UK authorities said actions against such vessels are aimed at disrupting the financial resources supporting Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine and reducing its ability to threaten security across Europe and beyond.