British forces have carried out the first UK-led operation to intercept a vessel that London considers part of Russia’s “shadow fleet.”
Early on June 14, Royal Marines and specially trained officers from the National Crime Agency boarded the oil tanker SMYRTOS in the English Channel.
The vessel was under UK sanctions. After the operation, it remained under British control off the country’s southern coast while authorities continued their investigation.
The British government described the interception as the first operation of its kind led by the United Kingdom.
Western governments use the term “shadow fleet” for vessels they say help Russia export oil and petroleum products while circumventing sanctions.