British Forces Board Sanctioned Oil Tanker Suspected of Being Part of Russia’s Shadow Fleet
Armed Royal Marine commandos rappelled from helicopters onto a sanctioned tanker, the Smyrtos, in the English Channel on Sunday, detaining the vessel suspected of being part of Russia‘s shadow fleet. The operation was carried out in close coordination with French authorities, who have previously intercepted vessels linked to the shadow fleet.
The Smyrtos, sailing under a Cameroon flag, left the Russian Baltic port of Ust-Luga on June 5 destined for Port Said, Egypt, according to the MarineTraffic website. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the operation, stating that it delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fueling Putin’s war in Ukraine that they cannot hide.
International Sanctions Against Russia’s Shadow Fleet
Russia is believed to be using a fleet of hundreds of ships to evade sanctions over its war against Ukraine. The Smyrtos is just one example of the many vessels suspected of being part of this shadow fleet, which has been able to operate undetected due to the lack of international coordination and legislation.
U.K. authorities emphasized that such operations are directly bearing down on the resources sustaining Russia‘s aggression in Ukraine and reducing its capacity to threaten security across Europe and beyond. The detention of the Smyrtos is a significant blow to Russia’s ability to continue fueling its war efforts.
Global Response to Russia’s Shadow Fleet
Ukraine President Voldymyr Zelenskyy thanked Starmer and the British people for their principled resolve, stating that it was Russia‘s hubris, fueled by high oil and gas revenues, that paved the way for this war. He emphasized the need for Europe to take legislative steps to enable not only the detention of tankers and restrictions on oil shipments but also the confiscation of the oil they carry.
The international community is increasingly recognizing the importance of addressing Russia‘s shadow fleet. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how other countries will respond to this challenge and work together to prevent further violations of international sanctions.
Original Article: Britain detains sanctioned oil tanker believed to be linked to Russia’s shadow fleet — Click2Houston