UK forces intercept Russian shadow fleet vessel for the first time

British forces yesterday morning boarded a sanctioned shadow fleet oil tanker in the Channel in what the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) called ‘’the latest blow to Russia’s war economy.”

In the first UK-led operation of its kind, the vessel SMYRTOS was boarded by Royal Marine Commandos and specially trained law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency. The military operation, which lasted six hours, was supported with aircraft from the Maritime Air Group .

The Prime Minister agreed in March that British Armed Forces and law enforcement officers were able to board shadow fleet vessels, in accordance with international law.

The SMYRTOS has been provisionally moved to an anchorage off Weymouth, on the South Coast of England, where it will be monitored for any environmental or safety concerns.

The MoD says enforcement action against this vessel took place in international waters and was carried out in accordance with domestic and international law.