The UK government has defended its interception and seizure of the Russian oil tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel, following threats from Russian President Vladimir Putin to "respond in kind". The tanker was boarded by Royal Marines Commandos in June and subsequently anchored off Weymouth in a first-of-its-kind operation aimed at disrupting vessels involved in sanction evasion.

The captain of the Smyrtos, Ajay Pant, faces charges for breaching Russian sanctions, accused of directly or indirectly supplying or delivering prohibited Russian oil.

During Russian naval drills in the Pacific Ocean, President Putin condemned Western nations for "seizing our vessels," labeling such acts as "piracy and banditry." He warned, "If these plans are put into practice, we will have to respond in kind, and not necessarily in the waters where raids on our ships and vessels are planned, but wherever we deem it necessary and appropriate, anywhere."

Viktor Liina, commander of Russia's Pacific Fleet, accused Western countries including Britain and France of operating their own "shadow fleets," stating, "We have the capacity to inspect and detain vessels of unfriendly states and their shadow fleets, and interagency cooperation is in place, ready to begin addressing these challenges."

In response, the UK government emphasized that its armed forces and law enforcement boarded the Smyrtos "in full accordance with international law." A government spokesperson added, "The UK is disrupting and deterring shadow fleet vessels and their harmful maritime activity which is fuelling Russia's war with Ukraine."

Sources