Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleIndian national Ajay Pant, captain of the shadow oil tanker, MV Smyrtos, has been charged with breaching Russian sanctions. Pant is accused of directly or indirectly supplying prohibited Russian oil or oil products to a third country in June 2026. The MV Smyrtos, identified as a Russian 'shadow fleet' vessel, was intercepted by Royal Marine commandos and National Crime Agency officers in the English Channel. Pant appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court and was remanded in custody, with his case sent to Bournemouth Crown Court for a hearing on 16 July. The tanker, carrying an estimated 98,000 tonnes of oil, is now formally prevented from leaving the UK and is anchored off Weymouth, with its 24 crew members remaining on board. In fullCaptain of Russian shadow fleet ship seized by British troops appears in courtThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Captain of seized Russian shadow fleet ship remanded in custody
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleIndian national Ajay Pant, captain of the shadow oil tanker, MV Smyrtos, has been charged with breaching Russian sanctions. Pant is accused of directly or indirectly supplying prohibited Russian oil or oil products to a third country in June 2026. The MV Smyrtos, identified as a Russian 'shadow fleet' vessel, was intercepted by Royal Marine commandos and National Crime Agency officers in the English Channel. Pant appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court and was remanded in custody, with his case sent to Bournemouth Crown Court for a hearing on 16 July. The tanker, carrying an estimated 98,000 tonnes of oil, is now formally prevented from leaving the UK and is anchored off Weymouth, with its 24 crew members remaining on board. In fullCaptain of Russian shadow fleet ship seized by British troops appears in courtThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
