Plymouth-based Royal Marine 42 Commandos intercepting a Russian shadow fleet vessel in the Channel in the early hours of Sunday(Image: LPhot Hutchins/MoD Crown copyright/PA Wire)

Plymouth-based Royal Marines hailed after intercepting sanctioned Russian taker

by · PlymouthLive

Plymouth-based Royal Marines and servicemen from a Devonport-based warship took part in a daring operation which saw them and colleagues from the National Crime Agency intercept a sanctioned Russian oil tanker in the Channel this morning.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the six-hour operation was the first UK-led operation of its kind and signals a hardening of the Government's resolve against Putin and his illegal war in Ukraine.

The vessel Smyrtos will be provisionally moved to an anchorage off the south coast of England and be monitored for any environmental or safety concerns.

According to the MoD, the operation was supported by aircraft from the Maritime Air Group using Chinooks, Merlin Mk4 and Wildcat helicopters, an RAF P-8 aircraft, as well as HMS Sutherland - based in HMNB Devonport - and HMS Ledbury, which is based at HMNB Portsmouth.

In footage released by the MoD, personnel are shown boarding the vessel in the dark by fast-roping from a CH-47 Chinook helicopter.

Further video clips show personnel armed with KS-1 rifles conducting searches of cabins aboard the vessel, while officers from the NCA inspect documentation and paperwork.

According to the MarineTraffic website, Smyrtos sails under the Cameroon flag and left Ust-Luga, Russia, on June 5, with Port Said, Egypt, listed as its destination.

The website also says that the vessel is currently off the coast of Weymouth, Dorset.

Sir Keir Starmer said in a statement: "This operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fuelling (President Vladimir) Putin’s war in Ukraine that they cannot hide.

"I want to pay tribute to all those involved, including our armed forces and law enforcement officers who keep this country safe 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”

Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis said: "Operations like this require skill, professionalism and courage.

"I pay tribute to our armed forces personnel and all those involved.

"Russia relies on its shadow fleet to fund their conflict in Ukraine and our interdiction delivers a blow to Putin’s illegal war.”

Attorney General Lord Richard Hermer wrote on LinkedIn: "This Government made clear that we would pursue Russia’s shadow fleet under the full force of international law.

"Russia relies on their shadow fleet tankers to fund their conflict in Ukraine, and this expertly delivered interdiction strikes another blow at Putin’s war machine.

"I pay tribute to the extraordinary courage and professional of our armed forces personnel, and everyone else involved.”

Responsible for carrying 75 percent of Russia’s sanctioned oil, the shadow fleet of over 700 vessels provides a critical lifeline for the Kremlin, generating a war fund that supplies missiles and drones targeting innocent Ukrainian civilians and sustaining Russia’s illegal war.

Bickleigh, in the north of Plymouth, is home to the 42 Commandos. The barracks were once home to the Commando school before the Commando Training Centre took over in 1971, and also to 41 Cdo, an independent unit of Royal Marine volunteers who were formed up in August of 1950 and attach to the United States Marine Corps to fight in Korea.

Now Bickleigh is home to 42 Commando, Royal Marines, one of the fighting components of 3 Commando Brigade. Royal Marines have had a presence in Plymouth since 1664 and its own barracks since 1755, but it was not until 1955 they have been Freemen of the city.

Here are some pictures from the operation:

Plymouth-based Royal Marine 42 Commandos intercepting a Russian shadow fleet vessel in the Channel in the early hours of Sunday(Image: LPhot Hutchins/MoD Crown copyright/PA Wire)
Plymouth-based Royal Marine 42 Commandos intercepting a Russian shadow fleet vessel in the Channel in the early hours of Sunday(Image: LPhot Hutchins/MoD Crown copyright/PA Wire)
Plymouth-based Royal Marine 42 Commandos intercepting a Russian shadow fleet vessel in the Channel in the early hours of Sunday(Image: LPhot Hutchins/MoD Crown copyright/PA Wire)