The Kremlin has said it will pursue all available legal avenues if Britain proceeds with plans to sell Russian crude oil seized from a tanker earlier this month.
British media have reported that the government is considering auctioning around 100,000 tonnes of crude from the Smyrtos, which was intercepted by British forces in the English Channel on 14 June. The proceeds could reportedly be used to support Ukraine.
The vessel is believed to be part of Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" - ageing tankers used to transport oil while evading Western sanctions. British authorities said the Smyrtos had been sailing under a Cameroonian flag after departing the Russian port of Ust-Luga, but had been removed from Cameroon's shipping register before it was intercepted, leaving it effectively stateless under international maritime law.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described any sale of the cargo as unlawful and warned that Moscow would respond through the courts.
"There are certainly legal options for responding," he said, adding that they would be used "to the fullest extent possible."
Peskov also accused Britain of historical wrongdoing, describing the reported proposal as an "attempt to expropriate and sell the pirate's booty."
The seizure has further strained already tense relations between Moscow and London as the war in Ukraine continues.
The operation, involving Royal Marines, the National Crime Agency and Royal Navy support, marked Britain's first seizure of a suspected Russian shadow fleet tanker since expanding its powers to intercept sanctioned vessels. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said at the time that the operation was intended to disrupt Russia's ability to finance its war in Ukraine, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the move and urged European countries to introduce legislation allowing not only the detention of such tankers but also the confiscation of their cargoes.
Iran said it was nearing a final pact with Oman defining new shipping lanes between them through the Strait of Hormuz but repeated that the U.S. must ...
At least 77 people were killed after a powerful earthquake struck western Colombia early on Monday, toppling buildings across several cities and leavi...
A consortium including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is reportedly close to agreeing a deal to acquire a roughly one-third stake in Premier League club Li...
An agreement between Iran and the U.S. to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is expected "soon," a U.S. official has said. The deal would result in the resumption of commercial shipping through the sea passage and the lifting of an American naval blockade on Iranian ports.
Flights arriving at Catania airport in eastern Sicily were suspended after volcanic ash from a new eruption of Mount Etna drifted into the airspace around the airport, disrupting operations at one of Italy’s busiest aviation hubs.
A deal on a new route for vessels through the Strait of Hormuz is "very close," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said, while warning that the reopening of the waterway depends on the U.S. meeting other conditions, including paying compensation to Iran.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 9th of August, covering the latest developments.
Iran said it was nearing a final pact with Oman defining new shipping lanes between them through the Strait of Hormuz but repeated that the U.S. must meet other conditions.
At least 77 people were killed after a powerful earthquake struck western Colombia early on Monday, toppling buildings across several cities and leaving people trapped under rubble.
A consortium including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is reportedly close to agreeing a deal to acquire a roughly one-third stake in Premier League club Liverpool, according to multiple media reports on Monday.
Eclipse fever is building in Madrid as residents and visitors rush to secure protective glasses ahead of a rare total solar eclipse near sunset on Wednesday (12 August).
A gunman was arrested after opening fire at a local government office near Bangkok on Monday, days after a deadly school shooting renewed debate over gun control in Thailand.
Flights arriving at Catania airport in eastern Sicily were suspended after volcanic ash from a new eruption of Mount Etna drifted into the airspace around the airport, disrupting operations at one of Italy’s busiest aviation hubs.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment