UK seizes Russian ‘shadow fleet’ tanker – what that means | Russia-Ukraine war News
British Forces Seize Russian-Linked Oil Tanker in English Channel
LONDON — British authorities seized a Russian-linked oil tanker on Sunday, reportedly in violation of sanctions as it passed through the English Channel. Prime Minister Keir Starmer termed the operation a significant setback to Russia’s funding efforts for its war in Ukraine.
In a post on X, Starmer stated, “This successful operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fueling [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s war in Ukraine that we will not let them hide.”
Following the seizure of the tanker, the National Crime Agency (NCA) arrested an Indian national on suspicion of sanctions offenses. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed that the vessel, named Smyrtos, was detained in the operation.
This marked the first UK-led mission involving the boarding and detention of a vessel from Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” a network of tankers utilized to transport Russian oil and circumvent sanctions imposed after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Details of the Operation
According to MarineTraffic, the Smyrtos, carrying 700,000 barrels of Russian oil and flying the Cameroonian flag, set sail from the Russian Baltic port of Ust-Luga on June 5, bound for Port Said, Egypt. The tanker is owned by Zhao Yao Shipping Ltd., a company based in Hong Kong and linked to other sanctioned vessels, with its management headquartered in Tamil Nadu, India.
Royal Marines commandos and NCA officers executed a predawn raid, deploying from Chinook helicopters in coordination with a Royal Navy frigate and a minehunter. Twenty-four crew members, primarily Georgian and Indian, remain aboard the now anchored vessel off the Dorset coast.
The six-hour operation occurred despite the presence of the Russian warship Admiral Grigorovich nearby, which has been monitoring the area since April. Following the incident, at least six other tankers altered their course to avoid the English Channel.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the UK for its actions against Russia’s oil fleet.
As of now, Russia has not commented on the incident.
Context and Implications
The UK, along with other Western nations, has prohibited vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet from accessing its ports and has barred UK companies from providing services to those transporting Russian oil. This ban is part of ongoing efforts to limit a key revenue source for Russia amidst its military activities in Ukraine.
Analysts indicate that while sanctions complicate Russian oil exports, they have not halted them entirely. Alexander Lord, a defense analyst, stated, “Russia continues to trade its oil at a heavy discount, particularly to countries such as India and China.”
Recent Developments
This operation follows a directive from Prime Minister Starmer in March, which empowered UK authorities to stop, board, and detain sanctioned vessels in British waters. The MoD noted that over 500 vessels connected to Russia’s shadow fleet have been sanctioned, which contributed to a reported 24% decrease in Russian oil and gas revenues in 2025 compared to the previous year.
UK media outlets have reported that legal challenges and the costs associated with storing seized vessels may have delayed the commencement of such operations.
Internationally, the US has already seized a Russia-linked tanker, while France and other European nations have detained vessels accused of transporting sanctioned Russian oil.
Future Considerations
Analysts suggest the impact of this seizure on Russia’s oil exports may be limited, although it could raise costs and necessitate longer routes for tankers to avoid detection. Notably, avoiding the English Channel could extend travel by approximately 926 kilometers and could involve riskier routes in the North Atlantic.
While some observers have raised concerns about potential Russian retaliation, analysts indicate that such responses have been minimal in past incidents involving the seizure of shadow fleet vessels.
As the situation unfolds, British and international authorities are likely to continue monitoring the evolving dynamics of maritime sanctions against Russia.
