A 38-year-old Indian national has been arrested after British Armed Forces and the National Crime Agency (NCA) boarded and seized the Russian shadow fleet oil tanker SMYRTOS in the English Channel. The operation, which lasted six hours, marks the first UK-led action of its kind against vessels linked to Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine.
Operation Details
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed that Royal Marine commandos and NCA officers boarded the sanctioned tanker in the early hours of Sunday, June 14. The vessel was intercepted with support from aircraft including Chinooks, Merlin Mk4, Wildcat helicopters, an RAF P-8 aircraft, and Royal Navy ships HMS Sutherland and HMS Ledbury. Footage released by the MoD shows personnel fast-roping from a CH-47 Chinook onto the tanker in darkness.
Arrest and Charges
The arrested individual, an Indian national, is being held on suspicion of sanctions offences under the Russia Regulations. The NCA stated: "A 38-year-old Indian national man has now been arrested by NCA officers on suspicion of suspected sanctions offences under the Russia Regulations. He has been taken into custody, where he will be interviewed by NCA investigators. Our investigation continues."
Political Reaction
Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised the operation, saying: "This operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fueling Putin's war in Ukraine that they cannot hide. I want to pay tribute to all those involved, including our Armed Forces and law enforcement officers who keep this country safe 24 hours a day, 365 days a year." Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis added: "Operations like this require skill, professionalism and courage. I pay tribute to our Armed Forces personnel and all those involved. Russia relies on its shadow fleet to fund their conflict in Ukraine and our interdiction delivers a blow to Putin's illegal war."
However, a former commander criticized the move as a "deeply cynical ploy" by Starmer to appear strong, noting that over 100 shadow fleet vessels had passed since March without action. The SMYRTOS will be moved to an anchorage off the south coast of England for monitoring of environmental and safety risks.
