UMVA has learned that British forces executed a daring raid in the English Channel early Sunday, seizing a sanctioned Russian oil tanker in a bold military operation.
The vessel, identified as the Smyrtos, was intercepted by Royal Marine Commandos, accompanied by officers from the National Crime Agency, and supported by RAF aircraft during a six-hour operation. Dramatic footage shows armed commandos fast-roping from a helicopter onto the ship before conducting thorough searches.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the tanker is part of Russia's notorious "shadow fleet," a network of ships used to transport Russian oil and bypass international sanctions imposed following the war in Ukraine. The UK government claims over 500 vessels linked to this shadow fleet have been sanctioned.
The operation involved a range of military assets, including Royal Marines, National Crime Agency officers, HMS Sutherland, HMS Ledbury, an RAF P-8 surveillance aircraft, and assets from the Maritime Air Group. The raid was carried out in coordination with French authorities, who recently intercepted another sanctioned tanker believed to be linked to Russia's shadow fleet.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the Smyrtos was sanctioned in July 2025 and had reportedly changed both its name and flag registration in an apparent effort to avoid detection. Tracking data shows the vessel departed Russia's Ust-Luga oil terminal near St. Petersburg on June 5 before entering the English Channel on Saturday.
The tanker is now being held off the south coast of England while authorities continue their investigation. Embattled Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed the operation, stating it delivers "yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fuelling Putin's war in Ukraine that we will not let them hide."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the seizure, calling it an "important step" against Russia's oil-export network. He expressed gratitude to the UK for taking this significant action, emphasizing that Russia's oil and gas revenues have been a key factor in the conflict.
