UK armed forces have boarded and seized a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the English Channel. Footage released by the Ministry of Defence on Sunday (14 June) shows Royal Marine Commandos and specially trained law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency searching the tanker during a six-hour operation. The Smyrtos, which was sailing under the flag of Cemeroon, will be held and monitored off the south coast of England as investigations continue, the MoD confirmed. Sharing the footage on social media, Sir Keir Starmer wrote: “This successful operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fuelling [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s war in Ukraine that we will not let them hide.”

The interception is the first of its kind, with forces using helicopters to take control of the Smyrtos.

LONDON: British armed forces on Sunday intercepted a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker attempting to pass through the English Channel. The vessel SMYRTOS was boarded by Royal…