Ukraine's foreign minister has thanked the UK for its "leadership and decisive action" after the British government announced its forces had intercepted a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the English Channel.
Westminster said Royal Marine Commandos and law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency (NCA) had boarded the Russian vessel Smyrtos early on Sunday morning in an operation that lasted six hours.
The marines and NCA officers were supported by Chinook, Merlin and Wildcat helicopters, a Royal Air Force P-8 and the Royal Navy ships HMS Sutherland and HMS Ledbury.
Russia uses its shadow fleet to evade Western sanctions on its oil industry, which prevent Moscow from chartering or insuring tankers unless it complies with certain restrictions.
Its shadow fleet gets around these restrictions by making use of complex ownership structures, flags of convenience and other tactics designed to mask the origin of its cargo.
