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.

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

British armed forces intercepted the Russian oil tanker SMYRTOS in the English Channel, boarding the vessel with Royal Marines and NCA officers. The ship is being held and…

Keir Starmer said operation involving UK armed forces operation delivers ‘yet another blow’ to Russia and Putin

The British Armed Forces intercepted a Russian shadow fleet tanker attempting to pass through the English Channel on Sunday 14 June.

In a post on social media, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the operation delivered "yet another blow to Russia". #EuropeNews

In a post on social media, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the operation delivered "yet another blow to Russia". #EuropeNews

Royal Marine commandos and specially trained officers led the first UK-led operation of its kind on Sunday morning

The shadow fleet is responsible for carrying 75% of Russia’s sanctioned oil

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The UK Ministry of Defence says it captures the vessel Smyrtos in an operation that lasts six hours.

British armed forces have intercepted a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the English Channel during the early hours of Sunday morning, the prime minister has said.In an…

British forces have intercepted a Russian “shadow fleet” oil tanker in the English Channel for the first time, in what the government described as a major operation aimed at…

British forces on Sunday intercepted a sanctioned oil tanker belonging to Russia's shadow fleet in the English Channel, the defense ministry said.

British forces intercepted a UK-sanctioned oil tanker accused of belonging to what has been dubbed Russia's "shadow fleet" in the English Channel on Sunday, in what the country’s…

British forces intercepted a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the English Channel, marking a significant operation to disrupt Moscow's war funding capabilities in Ukraine.

UK forces intercept a sanctioned Russian oil tanker in the Channel, disrupting Moscow's shadow fleet funding for the Ukraine war.

British Royal Marines and law enforcement boarded and diverted the sanctioned Russian oil tanker SMYRTOS during a six-hour operation in the English Channel.

The UK military has intercepted an oil tanker linked to Russia’s shadow fleet in the English Channel, according to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in the first such operation by…

The UK intercepted a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the English Channel, escalating enforcement of sanctions on Russian crude and raising stakes for oil

Britain and France have both pledged to obstruct vessels linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet” that pass through their waters carrying sanctioned Russian oil.