UK Forces Board Sanctioned Russian Shadow Fleet Oil Tanker
British armed forces intercepted a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the early hours of Sunday, the U.K.’s Ministry of Defence said.
The vessel SMYRTOS was boarded by Royal Marine Commandos and specially trained law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency. The operation marks the first UK-led effort to intercept and inspect a sanctioned Russian ship attempting to transport oil in violation of international sanctions.
According to the MoD, Prime Minister Keir Starmer directed the interception as the tanker attempted to pass through the English Channel. “This successful operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fueling [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s war in Ukraine that we will not let them hide,” Starmer said in a post on X.
The vessel will be held off the U.K.’s south coast while investigations continue, the MoD said.
UK Sanctions Efforts Continue
The U.K. has sanctioned more than 500 vessels in its attempt to tackle the shadow fleet, Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis said in the MoD’s statement. European countries have been getting tougher on ships in their waters that attempt to transport Russian oil in violation of international sanctions.
Russia condemned a European Union decision to authorize EU vessels in the Mediterranean to stop and inspect foreign ships suspected of being part of a shadow fleet transporting Russian oil. The EU said it had expanded the mandate of Operation IRINI, its naval mission in the Mediterranean, to enforce a United Nations arms embargo on Libya.
Shadow Fleet Growth Concerns
According to U.S.-based think tank the Atlantic Council, the number of vessels in the shadow fleet has grown significantly since Western governments imposed a $60-a-barrel price cap on Russian oil exports in December 2022. Shipping broker BRS estimated in August 2025 that vessels engaging in illicit trading, some of which may be sanctioned, represent 18.2% of global oil tanker tonnage.
The EU and other countries have been working to disrupt the shadow fleet’s operations, but the growth of this illegal trade poses significant challenges for international efforts to enforce sanctions against Russia.
Original Article: UK forces board sanctioned Russian shadow fleet oil tanker — Cnbc