British forces detain and take control of the sanctioned oil tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel in an operation described by the UK Ministry of Defence as the first of its kind led by the United Kingdom. Multiple outlets report that Royal Marine commandos rappel from helicopters onto the vessel in early hours of Sunday, with the boarding taking place over several hours and running for roughly six hours. BBC News and PBS NewsHour describe the operation in which commandos secure the ship, while other reports add that specially trained law-enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency are involved alongside the Marines. Footage described by outlets including the Mirror and Daily Express shows personnel moving through parts of the tanker, including areas described as private quarters, using assault rifles. The tanker is described across sources as linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet,” a term used for vessels reportedly used to evade sanctions. The ship is the focus of the detention, with UK authorities treating it as suspected of having ties to sanctioned shipping activity, and the operation is portrayed by local outlets as a significant enforcement step in the Channel.
UK detains sanctioned tanker suspected of ties to Russia’s shadow fleet
British forces detain and take control of the sanctioned oil tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel in an operation described by the UK Ministry of Defence as the first of its kind led by the United Ki...
- UK forces detain the sanctioned oil tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel.
- Royal Marine commandos board the vessel, using helicopters and rappelling in pre-dawn hours.
- The operation is described as the first UK-led operation of its kind.
- The ship is suspected of ties to Russia’s “shadow fleet” and sanction-evasion activity.
- Some reports say National Crime Agency officers are involved alongside the commandos.
Royal Marine commandos rappelled from helicopters onto the vessel, the Smyrtos, in the English Channel, in what the country's Defense Ministry called "the first U.K.-led operation of its kind."
3 months agoDramatic footage showed the Royal Marines commandos storming the private quarters of the ship, the Smyrtos, in the pre-dawn hours.
3 months agoDramatic footage showed the Royal Marines commandos storming the private quarters of the ship, the Smyrtos, in the pre-dawn hours.
3 months agoDramatic footage showed the Royal Marines commandos storming the private quarters of the ship, the Smyrtos, in the pre-dawn hours.
3 months agoRoyal Marine Commandos boarded a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the English Channel.
3 months agoThe Prime Minister said the successful operation is 'yet another blow' to Russia
3 months agoRoyal Marines, armed with assault rifles, can be seen in the footage making their way through the vessel.
3 months agoHeart-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
3 months agoRoyal Marine commandos boarded a sanctioned oil tanker during a six-hour operation in the early hours of Sunday
3 months agoRoyal 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
3 months agoThe interception is the first of its kind, with forces using helicopters to take control of the Smyrtos.
3 months agoSpecially trained officers led the first UK-led operation of its kind on Sunday morning
3 months ago
LAWMA revokes licences of six private waste operators in Lagos
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) revokes the operating licences of six private waste collection operators af...
Authorities issue warnings after Australian tourists involved in Bali bar fight
Australian tourists are involved in a bar fight in Bali, prompting local authorities to respond and issue a warning to v...
North Melbourne seeks to keep Zane Duursma amid reported desire to leave
North Melbourne is trying to persuade Zane Duursma to change his mind after the club became aware he may be looking to l...