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LONDON: British forces on Sunday intercepted a sanctioned oil tanker belonging to Russia’s shadow fleet in a dramatic night-time operation hailed by Kyiv as a blow to Moscow’s war machine.
Navy commandos boarded the ship in the English Channel by fast-roping from a helicopter in the dark, according to footage released by the ministry. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga welcomed the operation.
“Russia’s shadow fleet is a tool of war. Every such vessel stopped means less money for Russia’s war machine,” he posted on social media.
“Cutting off these revenues helps reduce Russia’s ability to finance missile and drone attacks against Ukrainian cities.” The six-hour interception operation was supported by Chinook, Merlin Mk4 and Wildcat helicopters and a maritime patrol aircraft, a Ministry of Defence statement said. The frigate HMS Sutherland and the minehunter HMS Ledbury were also involved. Further video clips showed armed personnel conducting searches of cabins.
