UK Forces Intercept Russian Tanker in English Channel

British armed forces intercepted a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker attempting to cross the English Channel on Sunday. Members of the Royal Marines and specially trained law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency boarded the vessel, named the Smyrtos, the British ministry of defense said in a statement.

The Smyrtos will be detained and monitored off the south coast while the investigation continues. The statement added that the law enforcement operation in British territorial waters was carried out in accordance with national and international law.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he had personally ordered the tanker's detention. "This successful operation delivers yet another blow to Russia", he wrote in a post on X.

(reuters, im)