UK Intercepts Russia's 'Shadow Fleet': Lesson for Putin or Damage Control After Defence Leaders Resign?
- Jun 14
- 2 min read
By Pranjal Gupta New Delhi, June 14: Amid growing pressure within the British government over concerns that Russia could target NATO by 2030, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that British forces had intercepted a Russian-linked oil tanker in the English Channel. Following the operation, Starmer said the action sent a clear message to Russian President Vladimir Putin and those supporting Russia's war in Ukraine.
“This operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fuelling Putin’s war in Ukraine that they cannot hide,” Starmer said.
“I want to pay tribute to everyone involved, including our Armed Forces and law enforcement officers, who work around the clock to keep this country safe,” he added.
The vessel, Smyrtos, was boarded by Royal Marine commandos who descended from helicopters in what the UK Ministry of Defence described as the first operation of its kind led by Britain.
According to the Defence Ministry, the tanker is being held off the south coast of England while investigations continue. The operation was carried out in close coordination with French authorities, who have previously intercepted ships linked to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet”.
Britain and its allies believe Russia uses hundreds of vessels in this fleet to bypass sanctions imposed over its invasion of Ukraine.
Sailing under a Cameroon flag, Smyrtos left the Russian Baltic port of Ust-Luga on 5 June and was reportedly heading to Port Said in Egypt, according to shipping tracker MarineTraffic.
British authorities said such operations target the financial resources sustaining Russia’s war effort and help reduce its ability to threaten security across Europe and beyond.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the move and thanked Starmer and the British people for their support.
“It was Russia’s arrogance, fuelled by high oil and gas revenues, that helped make this war possible. Every step taken by partners to cut off Russia’s income also limits its ability to continue the war,” Zelenskyy wrote on X.
He also urged European countries to introduce laws allowing not only the detention of such tankers but also the confiscation of the oil they carry.
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Earlier this week, Prime Minister Keir Starmer came under pressure after two senior government officials resigned, citing concerns that defence spending was not sufficient to prepare Britain's military for future threats.
Defence Secretary John Healey and Armed Forces Minister Al Carns announced their departures, arguing that the government's new Defence Investment Plan (DIP) "falls well short of what is required" to protect Britain in an increasingly dangerous world.
Last week, Starmer warned that Russia could pose a direct threat to NATO within the next few years. “It is our intelligence assessment, and the assessment of other countries in NATO, that there could be an attack by Russia on NATO as soon as 2030,” Starmer said during a speech at a British defence company.
His remarks highlighted growing concerns within the UK and across NATO about Europe's security and the need for stronger defence preparedness.
