The UK military has intercepted an oil tanker linked to Russia’s shadow fleet in the English Channel, according to Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The tanker, the Cameroon-flagged Smyrtos, was sanctioned last year by the UK for its involvement in shipping Russian oil.

Details of the Interception

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. The UK’s action is seen as a significant blow to Russia’s efforts to circumvent sanctions.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.