British marines intercepted a tanker allegedly belonging to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” in the English Channel early this morning. published British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The Marines were joined in the operation by officers from the National Crime Agency (NCA), supported by the Royal Air Force (RAF). This is the first such operation by the British armed forces, says Starmer.
The Ministry of Defense said the Smirtos vessel would be under surveillance off the south coast of England while the investigation was carried out. In the video of the action published by the British authorities, it is seen how the specialists in full equipment are lowered by ropes from a helicopter onto the deck of the ship, after which the cabins of the ship are searched and documents are examined.
Despite Putin’s best efforts to evade sanctions, we will not let him get away with it. pic.twitter.com/IIW3Cv2ENQ
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 14, 2026
The operation was carried out in international waters, more than 12 nautical miles from the coast of Great Britain, and was fully in accordance with domestic and international law, the ministry said.
Prime Minister Starmer said he had ordered British forces to intercept a “shadow fleet” tanker trying to cross the English Channel.
“In the early hours of the morning, I ordered our armed forces to intercept an oil tanker from the ‘shadow fleet’ that was trying to cross the English Channel,” Starmer said in a post on X.
According to him, “this successful operation deals another blow to Russia and reminds those who encourage Putin’s war in Ukraine that they will not be allowed to hide.”
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