Published • loading... • Updated
Captain of Russian shadow fleet tanker intercepted in Channel appears in court
Ajay Pant was remanded in custody after the MV Smyrtos was seized in the first UK-led operation to capture a sanctioned vessel, officials said.
- On Tuesday, Ajay Pant, captain of the Russian shadow fleet tanker Smyrtos, appeared at Southampton Magistrates facing charges of breaching sanctions by supplying prohibited Russian oil to a third country in June 2026.
- Royal Marine commandos and officers from the National Crime Agency seized the Smyrtos in the English Channel early on Sunday in the first UK-led operation to capture a sanctioned vessel, now detained off Weymouth, Dorset.
- Providing no indication of plea, the 38-year-old Indian national appeared via videolink from Bournemouth, while the 24 crew members from Georgia and India remain on board the vessel.
- District Judge David Robinson remanded Pant in custody during the hearing, with the case moving to Bournemouth Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on July 16.
- Following a National Crime Agency investigation, Joanne Jakymec, chief Crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, authorized the charges and reminded all concerned that criminal proceedings against Pant are active and he has the right to a fair trial.
Insights by Ground AI
13 Articles
13 Articles
British special forces carried out one of the most high-profile naval operations in recent times in the early hours of Sunday. They carried out a night landing on the Russian tanker Smyrtos, which was sailing under a false Cameroonian flag as part of Russia’s “shadow fleet”. The operation in the English Channel (La Manche) represents a significant blow to Vladimir Putin and his mechanism for evading Western sanctions. The action was personally a…
Father's Day SaleGet 40% off Vantage subscriptions for yourself or a friend.Get Started
Coverage Details
Total News Sources13
Leaning Left2Leaning Right2Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Center
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
50% Center
L 25%
C 50%
R 25%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
