UK forces intercepted a sanctioned Russian oil tanker, Smyrtos, in the English Channel, according to Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The operation involved Royal Marine commandos and law enforcement officers and lasted six hours.
Key points
UK forces intercepted a Russian oil tanker in the English Channel.
The operation involved Royal Marine commandos and law enforcement.
The tanker Smyrtos will be monitored for environmental concerns.
Keir Starmer stated the operation is a blow to Russia.
Mentioned in this story
National Crime AgencyKeir Starmer
Smyrtos
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Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of UK politics. The British armed forces intercepted a Russian shadow fleet vessel in the English Channel in the early hours of Sunday morning, the UK’s prime minister, Keir Starmer, has said.
Royal Marine commandos and specially trained law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency boarded a sanctioned oil tanker during a six-hour operation, according to the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
The vessel, Smyrtos, will be held and monitored for any environmental or safety concerns off the south coast of England as investigations continue, the MoD added.
In a statement, Starmer said: “This operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fuelling (President Vladimir) Putin’s war in Ukraine that they cannot hide.”
Dan Jarvis will be expected to turn up at Nato meetings to defend the UK’s plans to be ready for war, even though many would agree they are underfunded.
Dan Jarvis will be expected to turn up at Nato meetings to defend the UK’s plans to be ready for war, even though many would agree they are underfunded. Photograph: Toby Shepheard/AFP/Getty Images
double quotation markOperations like this require skill, professionalism and courage. I pay tribute to our armed forces personnel and all those involved.
Russia relies on its shadow fleet to fund their conflict in Ukraine and our interdiction delivers a blow to Putin’s illegal war.
The incident comes days after the former armed forces minister, Al Carns, and defence secretary, John Healey, resigned their posts after a protracted row over the defence investment plan (Dip). They said the plan, which has faced repeated delays, is seriously underfunded and falls short of what the defence department needs to keep Britain safe at such a volatile time.
Q&A
What was the name of the Russian oil tanker intercepted by UK forces?
The name of the intercepted Russian oil tanker is Smyrtos.
Why did UK forces board the Russian oil tanker Smyrtos?
UK forces boarded the Smyrtos to enforce sanctions and address environmental or safety concerns.
Who led the operation to intercept the Russian oil tanker?
The operation was led by Royal Marine commandos and law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency.
What impact does the interception of the Smyrtos have on Russia's actions in Ukraine?
The interception serves as a reminder to those supporting President Putin's war in Ukraine that they cannot evade consequences.
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Healey said the government was only willing to give an extra £10bn in additional funding, a figure he said is well below what is needed amid the threat from Russia and other major security challenges.
Jarvis, himself a former soldier, said he was still working through the detail of the defence investment plan, which will lay out how much military equipment and infrastructure will be paid for over the next decade. The new defence secretary told the Sunday Telegraph:
double quotation markThe defence of our nation is a shared endeavour… I have a big responsibility in that regard now, but so do all of those people who expose themselves to risk tonight, tomorrow, next week, and we owe them a debt of gratitude.
I have a responsibility now to them to make sure that they get what they need, and people should be very clear about my determination to fulfil those duties, to make sure that they do (get) precisely what they need.
His comments come weeks before a crunch Nato summit in Ankara that will be attended by Donald Trump.
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of UK politics. The British armed forces intercepted a Russian shadow fleet vessel in the English Channel in the early hours of Sunday morning, the UK’s prime minister, Keir Starmer, has said.
Royal Marine commandos and specially trained law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency boarded a sanctioned oil tanker during a six-hour operation, according to the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
The vessel, Smyrtos, will be held and monitored for any environmental or safety concerns off the south coast of England as investigations continue, the MoD added.
In a statement, Starmer said: “This operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fuelling (President Vladimir) Putin’s war in Ukraine that they cannot hide.”
Dan Jarvis will be expected to turn up at Nato meetings to defend the UK’s plans to be ready for war, even though many would agree they are underfunded.
Dan Jarvis will be expected to turn up at Nato meetings to defend the UK’s plans to be ready for war, even though many would agree they are underfunded. Photograph: Toby Shepheard/AFP/Getty Images
double quotation markOperations like this require skill, professionalism and courage. I pay tribute to our armed forces personnel and all those involved.
Russia relies on its shadow fleet to fund their conflict in Ukraine and our interdiction delivers a blow to Putin’s illegal war.
The incident comes days after the former armed forces minister, Al Carns, and defence secretary, John Healey, resigned their posts after a protracted row over the defence investment plan (Dip). They said the plan, which has faced repeated delays, is seriously underfunded and falls short of what the defence department needs to keep Britain safe at such a volatile time.
Healey said the government was only willing to give an extra £10bn in additional funding, a figure he said is well below what is needed amid the threat from Russia and other major security challenges.
