Dramatic moment Royal Marines storm Russian 'shadow fleet' tanker in huge blow to Putin

Dramatic moment Royal Marines storm Russian 'shadow fleet' tanker in huge blow to Putin Heart-stopping footage shows the moment Royal Marine commandos stormed a Russian 'shadow fleet' oil tanker in a daring six-hour operation in the English Channel Dramatic footage shows Royal Marine commandos storming a Russian "shadow fleet" oil tanker in the English Channel. The Ministry of Defence filmed the daring six-hour raid which took place in the early hours of this morning and represents a massive blow to Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine. Video shows helicopters intercepting the Smyrtos in the first operation of its kind, with forces "fast-roping'"down on to the vessel. Heavily-armed personnel are then seen taking control and checking through paperwork on the bridge. Sir Keir Starmer said in a statement that the operation shows Putin's allies that there is "nowhere to hide". He said: "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." The Russian dictator's so-called shadow fleet – composed of older, poorly maintained vessels and tankers – help smuggle sanctioned oil across the globe. A statement from the MoD said the operation was carried out "despite Russia's best efforts to evade sanctions and continue fuelling its barbaric war with Ukraine". The Ministry of Defence said Royal Marines commandos and personnel from the National Crime Agency were supported by Chinooks, Merlin Mk4 and Wildcat aircraft. An RAF P-8 aircraft was also deployed, as well as HMS Sutherland and HMS Ledbury. Video clips show personnel armed with KS-1 rifles conducting searches of cabins aboard the vessel, while officers from the NCA inspect documentation and paperwork. According to the MarineTraffic website, Smyrtos sails under the Cameroon flag and left Ust-Luga, Russia, on June 5, with Port Said, Egypt, listed as its destination. The website also says that the vessel is currently off the coast of Weymouth, Dorset.