UK armed forces intercepted a Russian shadow fleet vessel in the Channel in the early hours of Sunday, the Prime Minister said.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said Royal Marine commandos and specially trained law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency (NCA) boarded a sanctioned oil tanker during a six-hour operation – the first UK-led operation of its kind.
The vessel Smyrtos will be provisionally moved to an anchorage off the south coast of England and be monitored for any environmental or safety concerns.
According to the MoD, the operation was supported by aircraft from the Maritime Air Group (Chinooks, Merlin Mk4 and Wildcat), an RAF P-8 aircraft, and HMS Sutherland and HMS Ledbury.
Keir Starmer said in a statement: “This operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fuelling (President Vladimir) Putin’s war in Ukraine that they cannot hide.
“I want to pay tribute to all those involved, including our armed forces and law enforcement officers who keep this country safe 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”
The Guardian reports that the vessel is now anchored off the coast of Dorset, near Weymouth, and that it will be monitored for environmental or safety concerns.
The Smyrtos is understood to be one of 700 vessels in a shadow fleet which is responsible for carrying 75% of Russia's sanctioned oil.
It gives Vladimir Putin's country a lifeline due to ongoing sanctions, allowing oil to be sold and funds generated to continue Russia's war against Ukraine.
Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis, who replaced John Healey after he resigned last week over military funding, said: “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.”
Attorney General Lord Richard Hermer wrote on LinkedIn: “This Government made clear that we would pursue Russia’s shadow fleet under the full force of international law.
“Russia relies on their shadow fleet tankers to fund their conflict in Ukraine, and this expertly delivered interdiction strikes another blow at Putin’s war machine.
“I pay tribute to the extraordinary courage and professional of our armed forces personnel, and everyone else involved.”
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch backed British armed forces’ interception of a Russian shadow fleet tanker in the English Channel.
She wrote on X: “I pay tribute to the brave Royal Marine Commandos who boarded a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker overnight in the English Channel.
“Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine is funded by their oil exports in defiance of sanctions.
“As Leader of the Opposition, I support the Government in standing with Ukraine.”
The MoD said the operation had been "conducted in close cooperation with the French" and that the move was a "blow to Putin's war chest".
The defence department added that the UK had already placed sanctions on more than 500 vessels, and that Russia's oil and gas revenues are falling by 24% year-on-year in 2025.
