Royal Marines storm Putin 'shadow fleet' tanker in dramatic English Channel raid

Royal Marines storm Putin 'shadow fleet' tanker in dramatic English Channel raid Royal Marine commandos and and specially trained law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency boarded the Smyrtos, a Russian shadow fleet vessel in the Channel Royal Marine commandos have boarded a Russian shadow fleet vessel in the Channel, the Prime Minister said. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed the soldiers and specially trained law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency intercepted a sanctioned oil tanker during a six-hour operation – the first UK-led operation of its kind - in the early hours of this morning. The vessel Smyrtos will be provisionally moved to an anchorage off the south coast of England and be monitored for any environmental or safety concerns. According to the MoD, the operation was supported by aircraft from the Maritime Air Group (Chinooks, Merlin Mk4 and Wildcat), an RAF P-8 aircraft, and HMS Sutherland and HMS Ledbury. Sir Keir Starmer said in a statement: “This operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fuelling (President Vladimir) Putin’s war in Ukraine that they cannot hide. “I want to pay tribute to all those involved, including our armed forces and law enforcement officers who keep this country safe 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.” Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis said: “Operations like this require skill, professionalism and courage. I pay tribute to our armed forces personnel and all those involved. “Russia relies on its shadow fleet to fund their conflict in Ukraine and our interdiction delivers a blow to Putin’s illegal war.” A statement from the MoD continued: "The operation builds on recent support provided by the UK to its allies to interdict shadow fleet vessels, which included RAF and Royal Navy capabilities supporting US and French operations. Today’s operation was conducted in close coordination with the French. "By disrupting the shadow fleet, we and our international partners are directly bearing down on the resources sustaining Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and reducing its capacity to threaten security across Europe and beyond. "Responsible for carrying 75% of Russia’s sanctioned oil, the shadow fleet of over 700 vessels provides a critical lifeline for the Kremlin, generating a war fund that supplies missiles and drones targeting innocent Ukrainian civilians and sustaining Russia’s illegal war. "The UK is a leader in tackling the shadow fleet, having already sanctioned over 500 vessels. And these sanctions are working, Russia’s oil and gas revenues fell by 24% year-on-year in 2025. "Today’s action sends a clear message to Russia that the UK will use the full range of legal tools available to enforce those sanctions and protect our security."