The UK military has intercepted an oil tanker linked to Russia’s shadow fleet in the English Channel, according to Prime Minister Keir Starmer. This successful operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fueling Putin’s war in Ukraine that we will not let them hide.

Details of the Operation

The tanker seized is the Cameroon-flagged Smyrtos, which was sanctioned last year by the UK for its involvement in shipping Russian oil. Commandos and the UK’s National Crime Agency were involved in boarding the ship in the English Channel.

Ship tracking data shows that the Smyrtos was in the Russian port of Luga Bay on June 5 and left the Baltic six days later. Its destination was given as Port Said in Egypt.

The interception of the Smyrtos occurred just days after the PM appointed a new Defense Secretary, Dan Jarvis, following the resignation of John Healey from Starmer’s fragile government in a dispute over military budgets.

France has previously intercepted several vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet, which carries Russian oil in defiance of international sanctions.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.