UK Seizes Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker After Putin’s Threats
In a first‑of‑its‑kind operation, Royal Marine commandos boarded and seized the MT Smyrtos, a Russian‑owned oil tanker, off Weymouth in the English Channel on 15 June. The vessel has been held by the Department of Transport, monitored by British authorities, while the captain, Ajay Pant, faces charges for breaching Russian sanctions by allegedly supplying prohibited Russian oil.
Russian President Vladimir Putin criticised the move, describing it as “piracy and banditry” and warning that Britain would respond in kind. The UK, however, defends the seizure as a lawful enforcement of international law and a measure to curb Russia’s “shadow fleet,” a network of more than 700 vessels that move about 75 % of the country’s sanctioned oil.
The Ministry of Defence emphasises that the British armed forces and commercial vessels operate in full compliance with maritime law, contrasting this with Russia’s alleged use of complex ownership structures to evade sanctions. The commander of the Pacific Fleet, Viktor Liina, countered by accusing western states of running their own “shadow fleets.”
Marine inspection footage shows commandos approaching the tanker, boarding the vessel, and conducting a search—shown in a recent MoD video release. The tanker is currently detained near the port, where it is being monitored as part of the UK’s wider strategy to limit revenue flowing to Russia’s war machine in Ukraine.
European Union officials are tightening sanctions, with more than 630 vessels already barred from entering EU ports. In recent months, the EU and individual member states, such as Italy, have boarded or detained suspected shadow‑fleet vessels, aiming to curb sanctions evasion. The EU’s foreign‑affairs spokesperson, Anitta Hipper, stated that European nations will continue to uphold international law and restrict Russia’s ability to finance its conflict abroad.
Russia’s president addressed Russian sailors, accusing EU members of restricting movement for economic operators and asserting that the EU’s measures are an infringement of international maritime law. The UK’s spokesperson countered that the country is there to disrupt and deter these illicit maritime activities that support Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Since the operation, 22 of the 25 crew members have been repatriated, while the ship’s owner remains responsible for maintaining the vessel.
For further coverage, read about the Royal Marines' boarding operation and the fate of the tanker’s crew.
