Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Tanker Seized
Photo: Reuters
The British Armed Forces seized an oil tanker belonging to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” in the English Channel early Sunday, according to UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Speaking on Sunday local time, Starmer said the successful operation was another blow to Russia and a reminder to those fuelling President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine that “we will not let them hide.”
In a statement, the UK Ministry of Defence said Royal Marine commandos and specially trained law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency boarded the vessel during a six-hour operation supported by the Royal Air Force (RAF). The ship, named Smarts, will remain detained and under observation off England’s southern coast while investigations continue.
Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis said Russia relies on its shadow fleet to finance the war in Ukraine and that the seizure would deal a major blow to Putin’s unlawful war efforts.
He added that the operation was supported by aircraft from the Maritime Air Group, an RAF P-8 aircraft, as well as HMS Sutherland and HMS Ledbury.
Russia has reportedly been operating a shadow fleet of tankers with unclear ownership to evade international sanctions imposed on its oil exports.
According to the UK Ministry of Defence, this covert fleet of more than 700 vessels is responsible for transporting around 75% of Russia’s sanctioned oil and serves as a key economic lifeline for the Kremlin.
The United Kingdom has already imposed sanctions on more than 500 such Russian vessels.
Source: BBC