UK Royal Marines Intercept Russian Oil Tanker in English Channel

In a notable operation early on Sunday, 24 September 2023, British Royal Marine Commandos, alongside officials from the National Crime Agency (NCA) and supported by the Royal Air Force (RAF), boarded a Russian oil tanker in the English Channel. The tanker, named Smyrtos, was intercepted during a six-hour operation, marking a significant event as it is the first seizure of its type conducted by UK armed forces.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed that the vessel will be held and monitored offshore, off the southern coast of England while investigations proceed. There were reportedly 25 crew members on board at the time of the boarding.

Keir Starmer, Leader of the Opposition, commented on the operation, stating, "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.”

Moscow has yet to respond to this incident, though it has previously denounced similar interceptions as illegal actions resembling “international piracy.” Footage released by the MoD shows armed personnel descending onto the tanker from helicopters and searching the vessel thoroughly while NCA officials inspect paperwork.

The Smyrtos is part of a significant shadow fleet of tankers that Russia has been utilising to bypass international sanctions on its oil exports. This fleet is purportedly responsible for carrying up to 75 per cent of Russia’s sanctioned oil, an essential source of revenue for the Kremlin during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, according to officials from the MoD.

In March, Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that British forces would now possess the authority to board sanctioned vessels navigating through British waters. To date, the UK has sanctioned over 500 vessels associated with Russian oil deliveries, and these measures prevent the vessels from docking at UK ports while also prohibiting British entities from providing financial or insurance services related to these ships.

According to MarineTraffic, a UK-based vessel tracking service, the Smyrtos sails under the flag of Cameroon and is currently anchored off Weymouth in the English Channel. The ship began its journey from Ust-Luga, a strategically significant oil terminal located near St. Petersburg, Russia, on 5 June.

Historically, the vessel has undergone multiple name changes and flag registrations to evade sanctions; previously named Myrtos, it was sanctioned as of July 2025.

The MoD has clarified that the interception took place in international waters, more than 12 nautical miles from the UK coastline, thereby complying with international law. Officials indicated that the successful execution of the operation followed weeks of meticulous military and diplomatic planning.

Footage showing the operation revealed armed personnel securing the tanker while further documentation checks were performed. A MoD spokesperson highlighted that a camera crew documented the event after the area was deemed secure, ensuring no dangerous actions were captured on film.

In the midst of this operation, the UK government faces internal challenges regarding its defence investment plans, crucial for ongoing military operations. Recent weeks have seen several resignations linked to dissatisfaction with proposed military funding levels. The Defence Secretary, along with military leaders, has appealed for increased spending to ensure that military readiness is sufficient faced against current global threats.

Following the interception, Attorney General Richard Hermer remarked, "This government made clear that we would pursue Russia's shadow fleet under the full force of international law." The UK has stated that targeting Russian oil revenues is a vital strategy to diminish resources available for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude to the UK for taking this assertive step against Russia’s shipping operations, and called for further legislative actions across Europe to enhance restrictions on oil exports and tanker detentions. The operation reportedly received cooperative logistical support from French forces, further exemplifying international collaboration in confronting maritime sanctions evasion.