British forces seize a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the English Channel

Early Sunday morning, British Royal Marines and the National Crime Agency intercepted the sanctioned oil tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel.

This marks the first time the UK has acted alone to board and detain a vessel from Russia’s "shadow fleet," a collection of aging ships used to bypass international sanctions and fund the war in Ukraine. During the six-hour operation, commandos rappelled from helicopters to secure the ship, which was previously flying a Cameroon flag.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated the raid delivers a direct blow to the Kremlin’s war chest, though Russia responded by calling the act "piracy." The vessel is currently being held off the south coast of England as authorities investigate potential sanctions violations and the legal status of its cargo.