UK intercepts Russian shadow fleet vessel in English Channel (VIDEO)

June 15, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

British Armed Forces have intercepted and boarded a sanctioned Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the English Channel on June 14, in what the British government described as the first UK-led operation of its kind.

As informed, the crude oil tanker Smyrtos, which sails under the Cameroon flag, was boarded by Royal Marine Commandos and specially trained law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency.

The military operation, which lasted 6 hours, was supported with aircraft from the Maritime Air Group (Chinooks, Merlin Mk4 and Wildcat), an RAF P-8 aircraft, as well as Royal Navy warships HMS Sutherland and HMS Ledbury.

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According to the officials, Smyrtos will be provisionally moved to an anchorage off the South Coast of England and will be monitored for any environmental or safety concerns. The operation was conducted in close coordination with the French.

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

“Operations like this require skill, professionalism and courage. I pay tribute to our Armed Forces personnel and all those involved. Russia relies on its shadow fleet to fund their conflict in Ukraine and our interdiction delivers a blow to Putin’s illegal war,” Defense Secretary Dan Jarvis said.

The operation builds on recent support provided by the UK to its allies to interdict shadow fleet vessels, which included RAF and Royal Navy capabilities supporting US and French operations.

The UK has said it continues to intensify enforcement against Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, which it estimates is responsible for transporting the majority of sanctioned Russian oil and consists of more than 700 vessels operating globally. Officials argue the fleet remains central to sustaining Moscow’s oil revenues despite Western restrictions.

According to UK government figures, more than 600 vessels linked to the shadow fleet have now been sanctioned, with authorities claiming the measures are having a measurable impact on Russian energy income.

It also notes that sanctioned ships are reported to have carried around $1.6 billion less Russian oil in the first quarter of 2025 compared with a year earlier. More than 70% of vessels in the shadow fleet are over 15 years old, and authorities report over 50 incidents involving ships linked to the network.

Under international maritime law, including provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), warships may board vessels suspected of lacking nationality in certain circumstances. UK officials say domestic legislation, including sanctions regulations and maritime enforcement powers, provides the legal framework for action where vessels are found to be in breach of sanctions or operating unlawfully.