UK Forces Board Sanctioned Russian Tanker in English Channel

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London: British armed forces intercepted and boarded a sanctioned Russian oil tanker in the English Channel on Sunday in what the UK government described as the first British-led operation targeting Moscow's so-called "shadow fleet."

According to Britain's Ministry of Defence, military personnel boarded the vessel, identified as SMYRTOS, during a six-hour operation involving naval vessels, helicopters and patrol aircraft. The tanker is expected to remain under close monitoring at an anchorage off England's south coast while investigations continue.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the operation had dealt 'another blow to Russia,"' as Western nations intensify efforts to enforce sanctions aimed at limiting Moscow's ability to finance its war in Ukraine through oil exports.

The action follows a similar operation by France at the end of May, when French authorities intercepted another sanctioned tanker suspected of being part of Russia's shadow fleet, with support from Britain. The Kremlin condemned that seizure as illegal, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov accusing Western countries of actions that were "bordering on international piracy."

The latest interception highlights growing European efforts to crack down on vessels accused of helping Russia circumvent international sanctions imposed since the start of the war in Ukraine.

Pic Credit: AFP