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In the early hours of Sunday, Royal Marine Commandos successfully boarded a Russian-operated oil tanker known as Smyrtos in the English Channel. This mission was executed with the assistance of National Crime Agency (NCA) officers and support from the Royal Air Force (RAF), marking the first mission of its kind undertaken by UK armed forces. The operation lasted approximately six hours as personnel intercepted and secured the vessel.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed that Smyrtos would be detained and closely monitored off the southern coast of England while investigations proceed. The ship is part of what is described as Russia’s “shadow fleet,” a collection of over 700 tankers responsible for transporting around 75% of Russia’s sanctioned oil, which helps the Kremlin circumvent international sanctions. These sanctions prevent over 500 vessels from docking in British ports and forbid UK businesses and individuals from providing financial or insurance services related to the transportation of Russian oil.
Video footage released by the MoD shows commandos fast-roping from helicopters onto the tanker, conducting thorough searches within the ship’s cabins, while NCA officers examined relevant paperwork. According to tracking data, the Smyrtos sails under a Cameroon flag and was anchored near Weymouth after departing from the Russian port of Ust-Luga on 5 June. Since being sanctioned in July 2025, the vessel has undergone two name and flag changes in efforts to evade detection.
This interception occurs amid ongoing debates within the UK government concerning defence spending and military readiness. Recent resignations from key defence positions—such as John Healey and Al Carns—highlight disagreements about the adequacy of the proposed Defence Investment Plan ahead of the upcoming NATO summit. Various officials, including Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge, have emphasized the need for transformative changes and increased funding to address modern security threats. The operation’s success received praise from political leaders, with figures like Sir Keir Starmer, Attorney General Richard Hermer, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky underscoring its significance in reducing financial support for Russia’s war efforts
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