British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said that the UK intercepted a “shadow fleet” oil tanker attempting to pass through the English Channel in an operation involving the country's armed forces and law enforcement agencies.
Starmer said on X on Sunday that he had directed the operation in the early hours of the morning.
“In the early hours of this morning, I directed our Armed Forces to intercept a shadow fleet oil tanker attempting to pass through the English Channel,” he said.
Starmer described the action as a successful operation and said it sent a message to those supporting Russia in the Ukraine war.
“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,” he said.
The prime minister also thanked the personnel involved in the operation.
“I want to thank those involved, including our Armed Forces and law enforcement officers who keep this country safe 24 hours a day, 365 days a year,” Starmer added.
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.
