UK Officials Expect Russia to Retaliate for Shadow Fleet Tanker Seizure
10 reported
British officials believe Russia will attempt to retaliate for the Royal Marines’ seizure of the oil tanker Smyrtos, according to a single-source report from The Guardian. The vessel, carrying Russian crude worth $40 million, was seized on the orders of Prime Minister Keir Starmer as it sailed 25 miles south of the Isle of Wight. Its Indian captain has been charged with breaching UK sanctions on Russia. Military sources said the UK had considered possible responses and anticipate the Kremlin will want to hit back, potentially globally and at a time of its choosing. The UK Chamber of Shipping said there is an understanding of increased risk, and greater vigilance is now prevalent among ship owners. The Ministry of Defence did not view a separate incident involving a Russian frigate firing warning shots near a British yacht as retaliation, but said it demonstrates heightened Russian nervousness as tensions deepen over UK support for Ukraine.
What’s reported
British officials believe Russia will try to retaliate for the Royal Marines’ seizure of the oil tanker Smyrtos.
The Smyrtos was carrying Russian crude worth $40 million (£30 million) to India.
The tanker was seized on the orders of Prime Minister Keir Starmer as it sailed 25 miles south of the Isle of Wight.
The Indian captain has been charged with breaching UK sanctions on Russia.
A naval insider said the seizure was planned for a long period and that Russia is expected to retaliate, possibly globally.
The UK Chamber of Shipping said there is an understanding of increased risk and greater vigilance is prevalent.
On Tuesday, sailors on a Russian frigate, the Admiral Grigorovich, fired warning shots near a British yacht in the Channel.
The Ministry of Defence did not think that incident was retaliation but said it demonstrates heightened Russian nervousness.
The detention of the Smyrtos is the first time British forces have seized a Russia-linked oil tanker.
The UK says the Smyrtos was captured because it was falsely registered under the flag of Cameroon and therefore legally stateless.
Key figures
Keir Starmer, British prime minister
Indian captain of the Smyrtos (name not provided)
UK Chamber of Shipping spokesperson (name not provided)
Naval insider (name not provided)
Sources: The Guardian
