UK intercepts Russian "shadow fleet" tanker for the first time

14.06.2026, 12:15 rubryka.com

According to Starmer, he ordered the Armed Forces to intercept a "shadow fleet" oil tanker that was heading through the English Channel.

The British prime minister emphasized that the operation was another step in increasing pressure on Russia over its war against Ukraine.

"This successful operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fueling Putin's war in Ukraine that we will not let them hide," the prime minister said.

Starmer also thanked the UK Armed Forces, which, he noted, "keep this country safe 24 hours a day, 365 days a year."

The UK Ministry of Defence stated that the operation lasted six hours. It involved:

Air support was provided by Maritime Air Group aircraft, including Chinooks, Merlin Mk4s, and Wildcats, as well as an RAF P-8 aircraft. The operation also involved the frigates HMS Sutherland and HMS Ledbury.

The tanker SMYRTOS may be moved to an anchorage off the southern coast of the United Kingdom. The vessel will remain under the control of the authorities due to concerns over safety and the potential environmental risks associated with oil transportation.

UK Defence Minister Dan Jarvis said that Russia's "shadow fleet" remains one of the mechanisms used to finance the war against Ukraine.

"Russia relies on its shadow fleet to fund its war in Ukraine, and this detention strikes a blow against Putin's war," he said.

According to the British government, the United Kingdom has already imposed sanctions on nearly 600 vessels linked to Russia's "shadow fleet."

The detention of the oil tanker comes amid reports that the UK had previously refrained from taking such action against vessels associated with Russia's shadow fleet. Among the reasons cited were concerns about violating international maritime law, as well as the significant costs involved in maintaining detained ships.

Why hadn't the UK previously detained Russian shadow fleet tankers?

In March, Prime Minister Keir Starmer granted British special forces the authority to seize tankers that help Russia generate oil revenues by circumventing sanctions.

At the time, he said London would step up pressure on the so-called "shadow fleet" if such vessels passed through British waters. However, no Russian-linked ship had been detained by UK authorities until now.

According to The Telegraph, despite Starmer's announcement, British forces refrained from carrying out seizures due to concerns about violating international maritime law. The newspaper reported that existing legal rules set a very high threshold for boarding a foreign vessel. Each operation requires a separate legal justification and proof that the ship was actively circumventing British sanctions.

Meanwhile, The Times reported disagreements within the government over where detained vessels should be held and which department should cover the costs of maintaining them. As an example, the newspaper cited the MV Matthew, a ship seized by Irish authorities in September 2023. More than £10 million (around €13 million) has reportedly been spent on its maintenance, berth rental, and security.

Another factor considered by British authorities is the potential migration impact of such operations. UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has warned that Russian contractors working aboard sanctioned shadow fleet vessels could apply for political asylum in Britain after their ships are detained.