Royal Marines Intercept Russian Shadow Fleet Oil Tanker Smyrtos in English Channel
Royal Marine Commandos executed a six-hour operation in the early hours of Sunday, intercepting and boarding the Russian ‘shadow fleet’ oil tanker, Smyrtos, in the English Channel. This action marks the initial boarding of such a vessel by British armed forces, supported by National Crime Agency officers and the Royal Air Force.
The vessel is now anchored off the coast of Weymouth, where investigations are ongoing. The Ministry of Defence confirmed the operation, showcasing footage of armed personnel fast-roping from a helicopter onto the tanker and subsequently searching cabins, while NCA officers examined documentation.
Smyrtos, sailing under a Cameroon flag, reportedly commenced its voyage on 5 June from Russia’s Ust-Luga port, a key oil terminal. The tanker was sanctioned in July 2025, subsequently altering its name from Myrtos and changing its flag twice in an apparent attempt to evade international restrictions.
The UK government has sanctioned over 500 vessels, prohibiting their entry into British ports and restricting UK firms and individuals from providing financial, insurance, or brokerage services for ships transporting Russian oil. These measures aim to 'choke off funding for Russia’s war machine' in Ukraine.
The interception follows a week of internal government turmoil over the Defence Investment Plan, with former Defence Secretary John Healey and former Armed Forces Minister Al Carns both resigning, citing insufficient proposed military spending. This operation underscores a continuity in assertive foreign policy despite domestic defence funding disputes.
