UK intercepts Russian shadow fleet vessel
The UK military has intercepted an oil tanker in the English Channel, in a first such operation by the UK government.
IMAGE: Flags of the UK and Russia. Getty Images
The tanker, Cameroon-flagged Smyrtos, is allegedly linked to Russia’s shadow fleet, the UK government’s Ministry of Defence said in a statement.
The UK’s Royal Marine Commandos and National Crime Agency boarded the ship in the channel, according to the statement. The tanker will be provisionally moved to an anchorage off the South Coast of England.
Smyrtos was sanctioned by the UK government last year due to its alleged involvement in shipping Russian crude oil. The UK government has sanctioned almost 600 Russian shadow fleet vessels to date.
“I directed our Armed Forces to intercept a shadow fleet oil tanker attempting to pass through the English Channel,” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on social media platform X.
The move comes days after the European Commission (EC) proposed its 21st package of economic sanctions against Russia, targeting an additional 30 vessels allegedly linked to Russia's shadow fleet.
Earlier in March, the French government detained Mozambique-flagged oil tanker, Deyna, as it lacked verified registration and was operating without a valid flag – a violation of maritime transport laws.
Deyna left French territorial waters in April after its owner paid a fine, the French Maritime Prefect of the Mediterranean said.
“Responsible for carrying 75% of Russia’s sanctioned oil, the shadow fleet of over 700 vessels provides a critical lifeline for the Kremlin,” the UK government stated.
A shadow fleet is made up of older vessels that intentionally evade regulations.
UK bans fuel made from Russian crude
Meanwhile, the UK government has set a final date to stop all imports of fuels derived from Russian-origin crude oil.
Russian crude oil-based diesel and jet fuel refined in third countries will be banned from 1 January 2027, the UK Department for Business and Trade, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said in a statement.
The move builds on sanctions announced in May that ban the import of refined oil, as well as LNG used for maritime services.
The UK government claims that international sanctions have drained more than $450 billion from the Russian economy since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
To date, London has targeted over 3,300 individuals, entities, and vessels under its sanctions regime, according to the statement.
By Aparupa Mazumder
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