British forces intercept Russian shadow fleet oil tanker

British forces intercept Russian shadow fleet oil tanker
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during the Prime Minister's Questions at the House of Commons in London, Britain, 10 June, 2026.
Reuters

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer says British armed forces intercepted a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker early on Sunday, as it attempted to pass through the English Channel. 

The vessel SMYRTOS was boarded by Royal Marine Commandos and specially trained law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency, Britain's Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

The vessel will be held and monitored off the south coast of Britain as investigations continue, the Ministry said, adding that enforcement action in Britain's territorial waters was carried out in accordance with domestic and international law.

British Prime Minister Kier Starmer said he directed the interception.

"This successful operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fueling Putin's war in Ukraine that we will not let them hide," Starmer said in a post on X.

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