Royal Marines seize Russian shadow-fleet oil tanker in English Channel in UK's first such operation

Sky News—Royal Marine commandos and National Crime Agency officers boarded and seized the Smyrtos, a suspected Russian shadow-fleet oil tanker, in an early-morning operation in the English Channel personally ordered by Prime Minister Starmer — Britain's first-ever such intercept. The vessel's Indian captain was formally charged. Russia's 700-plus shadow fleet ships an estimated 75% of its sanctioned oil exports; Russia's Kremlin condemned the action. The UK simultaneously announced new sanctions against Russian shadow-fleet tankers and Yandex Bank.

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• NBC News — World — Russia's 700+ shadow fleet ships an estimated 75% of its sanctioned oil exports
• The Straits Times — UK sanctions Russian shadow fleet tankers and Yandex Bank over war
• The Hindu — UK sanctions Russian shadow fleet ships after Indian captain arrested on tanker
• Daily Mail — Captain of tanker identified as Russian shadow fleet ship charged with sanctions violations after Royal Marines capture
• South China Morning Post — UK charges Indian captain of Russian shadow tanker seized in English Channel
• Sky News — Captain of Russian shadow fleet tanker seized in English Channel formally charged
• The Hill — Home News — Royal Marines boarded in early morning operation; UK PM personally ordered the intercept
• The Independent (UK) — Indian captain of Russian shadow tanker seized by UK formally charged with offenses
• The Independent (UK) — Russian shadow fleet vessel formally detained off British coast after Royal Marine seizure
• BBC — Captain of Russian shadow fleet tanker seized in English Channel faces charges
• Google News Top — Russia's Kremlin condemned the action
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• The Independent (UK) — Royal Marine commandos board and seize a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the English Channel
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