British armed forces have intercepted 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 boarded the vessel, 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."
Russia has been operating a "shadow fleet" of tankers to evade international sanctions imposed on its oil exports.
Responsible for carrying 75% of Russia's sanctioned oil, the shadow fleet of over 700 vessels provides a critical lifeline for the Kremlin, the MoD said.
The prime minister announced in March that British armed forces were "now able to board sanctioned vessels that are passing through our waters".
FULL ARTICLE AT: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyek039l2vo
No comments:
Post a Comment