British forces intercepted a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker on Sunday morning, its Ministry of Defense said, in the latest effort to disrupt Moscow’s sanctions-evasion network.
Russia’s shadow fleet of more than 700 vessels is estimated to transport around 75% of the country’s sanctioned oil exports, providing a critical financial lifeline for the Kremlin and helping fund the missiles and drones used in its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
“This operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fueling Putin’s war in Ukraine that they cannot hide,” Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in https://www.nbcnews.com/world/europe/uk-forces-intercept-russian-shadow-fleet-oil-tanker-english-channel-rcna349990?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-usa statement.
Royal Marine Commandos and officers from Britain’s National Crime Agency boarded the vessel, the Smyrtos, in the English Channel, the body of water separating Britain and France, the ministry said. It added that the tanker will be held and monitored off the south coast of England while investigations continue.