UK Forces Board Sanctioned Russian Oil Tanker in English Channel
6 reported
British armed forces intercepted a Russian shadow fleet vessel in the English Channel in the early hours of Sunday morning, according to Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Royal Marine commandos and specially trained law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency boarded a sanctioned oil tanker during a six-hour operation, the Ministry of Defence reported. The vessel, identified as the Smyrtos, will be held and monitored for any environmental or safety concerns off the south coast of England as investigations continue. Starmer stated the operation delivers a blow to Russia and reminds those fueling President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine that they cannot hide. The incident comes days after former armed forces minister Al Carns and defence secretary John Healey resigned over a dispute regarding the defence investment plan, which they said is seriously underfunded. Healey stated the government was only willing to give an extra £10bn in additional funding, a figure he said is well below what is needed.
What’s reported
British forces intercepted a Russian shadow fleet vessel in the English Channel early Sunday morning.
Royal Marine commandos and National Crime Agency officers boarded a sanctioned oil tanker during a six-hour operation.
The vessel is named Smyrtos and will be held and monitored off the south coast of England.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the operation delivers a blow to Russia and Putin’s war in Ukraine.
Former armed forces minister Al Carns and defence secretary John Healey resigned days earlier over the defence investment plan, which they said is underfunded.
Healey said the government offered an extra £10bn in funding, which he called insufficient.
Key figures
Keir Starmer, UK prime minister
Al Carns, former armed forces minister
John Healey, former defence secretary
Vladimir Putin, Russian president
Dan Jarvis, new defence secretary
Lisa Nandy, culture secretary
Sources: The Guardian
