UK intercepts Russian ‘shadow fleet’ tanker

The British military has intercepted an oil tanker linked to Russia’s shadow fleet in the English Channel.

British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer made this known in a post on his verified X handle on Sunday.

“In the early hours of this morning, I directed our Armed Forces to intercept a shadow fleet oil tanker attempting to pass through the English Channel.

“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 wrote.

Recall that France has previously intercepted several vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet, which carries Russian oil in defiance of international sanctions.

The tanker seized on Sunday is said to be the Cameroon-flagged Smyrtos, which was sanctioned last year by the UK for its involvement in shipping Russian oil.

The interception of the Smyrtos occurred just days after the PM appointed a new Defense Secretary, Dan Jarvis, following the resignation of John Healey from Starmer’s fragile government in a dispute over military budgets.