UK intercepts Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in English Channel, PM says | BBC News

Sun, 14 Jun 2026 19:10:05 +0000

British armed forces boarded a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the English Channel in the early hours of Sunday morning, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said.

In an operation lasting six hours, Royal Marine Commandos and specially trained law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency intercepted the vessel and, for the first time, boarded it, supported by the RAF.

The vessel, Smyrtos, will be held and monitored off the south coast of England as investigations continue, the MoD said in a statement.

The PM said: "This successful operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fuelling Putin's war in Ukraine that we will not let them hide."

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