Spectacular raid in the English Channel: British forces seize an oil tanker linked to the Russian "ghost fleet"

British armed forces intercepted a Russian oil tanker in the English Channel on Sunday, which was subject to international sanctions, marking the first operation carried out under British command against what authorities call a "ghost fleet" used to circumvent restrictions on Russian oil exports.

The ship, named Smyrtos and sailing under the Cameroonian flag, was boarded in the early hours of the morning by Royal Marines commandos and agents from the National Crime Agency. The operation was supported by Chinook helicopters, other military aircraft, a frigate, and a minesweeper.

According to the British government, this intervention is part of efforts to disrupt oil revenues which, according to London and its allies, contribute to financing Russia's war in Ukraine. British authorities consider the ghost fleet to be a network of ships used to circumvent sanctions imposed on Moscow since the beginning of the conflict.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised the operation in a message posted on the social network X. He stated that this action was another blow to Russia and a warning to those involved in financing the Russian war effort in Ukraine.

A video released by the government shows members of the British special forces rappelling down onto the oil tanker while National Crime Agency investigators inspect documents on board. Authorities have not provided further details on any potential legal or administrative consequences of the operation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the United Kingdom for the operation. For several months, Kyiv has been asking its Western partners to strengthen measures against ships suspected of enabling Moscow to continue its energy exports despite international sanctions.

This interception illustrates the hardening of Western efforts to limit Russian energy revenues. It could also mark the beginning of increased surveillance of ships suspected of belonging to the ghost fleet operating in European and international waters.