UK seizes sanctioned tanker SMYRTOS

British forces intercepted and boarded the oil tanker SMYRTOS in the English Channel on Sunday, 14 June 2026, in a six-hour maritime operation. Royal Marine Commandos and specially trained officers from the National Crime Agency took control of the vessel, which had been sanctioned and was believed to be operating as part of Russia’s so‑called shadow fleet of oil tankers.

Officials said the ship will be provisionally moved to an anchorage off the south coast of England to allow for monitoring. Authorities highlighted that the detention was aimed at ensuring safety and assessing any environmental risks associated with the vessel and its cargo.

The boarding of SMYRTOS was described as the first UK-led operation of its kind. It involved a coordinated deployment of Chinook, Merlin Mk4 and Wildcat helicopters from the Maritime Air Group, along with an RAF P-8 aircraft providing surveillance and support.

Royal Navy ships HMS Sutherland and HMS Ledbury also took part, helping secure the tanker during the interception in the busy Channel shipping lanes. The mission was conducted in close co-operation with France, underscoring joint efforts to police maritime sanctions enforcement in shared waters.

At the time of the operation, SMYRTOS was sailing under a Cameroonian flag. BBC Verify reported that the tanker began its current voyage on 5 June from Ust-Luga, a Russian port near St. Petersburg, and that it had previously been sanctioned in July 2025.

The vessel has changed its name from Myrtos to Smyrtos and altered its flag twice, features that authorities link to tactics used within the shadow fleet to obscure ownership and operations. Monitoring at anchorage off England’s south coast will focus on both safety and compliance considerations.

UK officials placed the interception within a broader campaign targeting what they describe as a Russian shadow fleet of oil tankers. Authorities estimate this fleet at more than 700 vessels, responsible for carrying about 75% of Russia’s sanctioned oil exports.

The UK has sanctioned more than 500 vessels associated with this trade, aiming to restrict revenue flows that help fund Russia’s war in Ukraine. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the SMYRTOS operation "delivers yet another blow to Russia," while senior ministers praised the personnel involved and highlighted the mission’s role in enforcing sanctions.