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Arrest made after seizure of Russian oil tanker in Channel
British forces boarded the sanctioned tanker in a six-hour operation, and 24 crew members are assisting investigators as officials probe suspected sanctions offences.
- British armed forces and the National Crime Agency intercepted the Russian shadow fleet tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel on Sunday, arresting a 38-year-old Indian national on suspicion of sanctions offences during the six-hour operation.
- Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced in March that the UK would join European allies to 'go after' sanction-breaking ships 'even harder,' targeting Russia's shadow fleet of ageing tankers that illicitly ship oil to evade Western sanctions.
- Royal Marine Commandos and law enforcement officers boarded the vessel during a complex operation supported by the Ministry of Defence, including HMS Sutherland and HMS Ledbury; the Smyrtos remains anchored off the Dorset coast with 24 crew members assisting investigators.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the UK's 'principled resolve,' while Attorney General Lord Richard Hermer wrote on LinkedIn that the government remains committed to pursuing the shadow fleet 'under the full force of international law.'
- Lord Dannatt, the former chief of the general staff, warned that the interception could prompt Russia to deploy warships to escort tankers through UK waters, raising concerns about potential maritime escalation in the Channel.
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While the Royal Navy was supervising a Russian ship, elite unit 42 Commando Marines were waiting to intervene immediately.
UK arrests Indian man after seizing sanctioned Russian shadow fleet oil tanker
British forces boarded the sanctioned tanker Smyrtos in the Channel and arrested an Indian national. The first UK-led operation against Russia's shadow fleet has left the vessel off Dorset as the inquiry continues.
·India
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Total News Sources38
Leaning Left6Leaning Right4Center15Last UpdatedBias Distribution60% Center
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources are Center
60% Center
L 24%
C 60%
R 16%
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