The British government has stated that the seizure of a Russian “shadow fleet” oil tanker in the English Channel was fully compliant with international law, following a response statement from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Sea-news.az reports that the tanker named Smyrtos was detained in June as a result of a special operation by the British Royal Marines, and the vessel was boarded by military personnel. The tanker was subsequently forced to drop anchor off the coast of Weymouth. This marked the first such operation carried out by the United Kingdom to prevent the activities of tankers subject to sanctions.
The ship’s captain, Ajay Pant, is accused of violating anti-Russia sanctions. He is alleged to have been involved in the direct or indirect supply of prohibited Russian oil. While observing Russian Navy exercises in the Pacific Ocean, Vladimir Putin termed the seizure of Russian ships by Western countries “piracy and banditry.” “If these plans are carried out, we will have to respond in kind. This may not necessarily be in the waters where operations against our ships are planned, but anywhere we deem necessary and appropriate,” the Russian President stated.
In response to Putin’s statements, the British government declared that the intervention in the Smyrtos tanker by the British Armed Forces and law enforcement agencies was carried out in full accordance with international law.
A government spokesperson stated that the UK is taking measures to curb the activities of “shadow fleet” vessels that contribute to the financing of Russia’s war against Ukraine. He emphasized that British military and commercial vessels operate in compliance with international maritime law.
