British armed forces boarded a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the English Channel in the early hours of Sunday morning, Sir Keir Starmer has said.
In an operation lasting six hours, Royal Marine Commandos and specially trained law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency intercepted the vessel and, for the first time, boarded it, supported by the RAF.
The vessel, Smyrtos, will be held and monitored off the south coast of England as investigations continue, the MoD said in a statement.
Sir Keir Starmer said: “This successful operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fuelling Putin’s war in Ukraine that we will not let them hide.”
Ministry of Defence A still showing a military personnel on a helicopter above a large vessel. He is wearing green tactical gear and a helmet and gloves and is looking down at the boat. The water and sky are blue. Ministry of Defence
Royal Marine Commandos were joined by specially trained law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency for the operation
In video footage shared by the MoD, armed personnel can be seen boarding the vessel in the dark by fast-roping from a helicopter.
Further videos show them conducting searches of cabins aboard the vessel, while officers from the NCA inspect paperwork.