UK detains tanker Smyrtos in English Channel — PM Starmer
British armed forces intercepted the oil tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel on Sunday, boarding it with Royal Marine Commandos and National Crime Agency officers in a six-hour operation. The vessel, believed to be part of Russia’s shadow fleet, will be moved to an anchorage off the south coast of England and monitored. The UK Ministry of Defence described the operation as the first UK-led inter
British armed forces intercepted the oil tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel on Sunday. Royal Marine Commandos and law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency boarded the vessel, which will be moved to an anchorage off the south coast of England and monitored. The operation lasted six hours and was supported by Chinook, Merlin Mk4, and Wildcat helicopters, an RAF P-8 aircraft, HMS Sutherland, and HMS Ledbury. The UK Ministry of Defence described the operation as the first UK-led operation of its kind. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer directed the interception. Ukraine hailed the interception. According to SCMP, the vessel Smyrtos was sailing under the Cameroon flag.
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