Starmer shows how British forces seized Russian shadow fleet tanker
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer released footage of the special operation to intercept the Russian shadow fleet tanker SMYRTOS in the English Channel. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Britain and urged Europe to adopt legislation allowing confiscation of oil transported by such vessels.
The United Kingdom carried out its first operation to intercept a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker on Sunday, June 14, in the English Channel. The operation was conducted in close coordination with France.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer posted a video on X showing special forces descending onto and searching the tanker SMYRTOS. The vessel is now anchored off the southern coast of England, where it will be inspected for environmental and safety risks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to Starmer's post, expressing gratitude for this important step against Russia's oil fleet. He emphasized that every decision by partners that deprives Russia of funds for financing the war also limits the war itself. Zelensky called on other allies to adopt legislation that would allow the confiscation of oil transported by shadow fleet vessels, stating that this would undoubtedly help bring peace closer.
In March, Starmer agreed that UK armed forces and law enforcement could now intercept ships subject to British sanctions transiting through British waters. The UK had previously participated in French operations to detain Russian shadow fleet tankers, most recently on May 31 in the Atlantic Ocean, when the tanker Tagor was intercepted over 400 nautical miles (740 kilometers) west of the tip of Brittany.
