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    British forces intercept Russian shadow fleet oil tanker attempting to cross English Channel

    Synopsis

    British armed forces intercepted the Russian oil tanker SMYRTOS in the English Channel, boarding the vessel with Royal Marines and NCA officers. The ship is being held and monitored off the south coast as investigations proceed. Prime Minister Kier Starmer stated the operation strikes a blow against those supporting Putin's war in Ukraine.

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    A RFA vessel shadows a Russian submarine through the English ChannelReuters
    A RFA vessel shadows a Russian submarine through the English Channel, in this handout image. File photo
    British armed forces on Sunday intercepted a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker attempting to pass through ‌the English ⁠Channel.

    The ⁠vessel SMYRTOS was boarded by Royal Marine Commandos and specially trained law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency, Britain's Ministry of Defence said in ⁠a statement.

    The ‌vessel will be held and monitored off ⁠the south coast as investigations continue, the statement said, adding that enforcement action in Britain's territorial waters was carried out in accordance with domestic and international law.


    British Prime Minister Kier ‌Starmer said that he had directed the interception.

    "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," Starmer said in a post on X.

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