Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed gratitude to the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Keir Starmer for the successful operation that led to the seizure of a Russian tanker, SMYRTOS, in the English Channel. This incident marks a significant step in efforts to counteract Russian maritime operations.
The operation, which took place on June 14, involved British special forces boarding the vessel as it was intercepted near the southern coast of England. Zelensky responded to a video of the operation shared by Starmer, stating, “I am thankful to the UK for this important step against the Russian oil fleet—this tanker from the ‘shadow fleet’ has been detained off the southern coast of Britain.”
Zelensky emphasized that actions taken by allies to restrict Russia’s financial resources directly impact its capacity to sustain the ongoing conflict. He urged other partners to implement legislation that would facilitate the confiscation of oil transported by vessels associated with the Russian ‘shadow fleet.’
He further remarked, “I thank Keir Starmer and all British citizens for such principled determination. Europe urgently needs to take legislative measures not only to detain tankers and impose restrictions on oil transport but also to confiscate the oil they carry. This will undoubtedly help bring us closer to peace.”
The seizure of SMYRTOS represents the first operation of its kind by the UK against sanctioned Russian tankers, conducted in close coordination with France. Following the interception, the tanker will be anchored off the southern coast of England, where it will undergo inspections for environmental and safety risks.
In March, Prime Minister Starmer had agreed to empower British armed forces and law enforcement to intercept vessels that are under UK sanctions and transit through British waters. The UK has previously collaborated with France in operations targeting sanctioned Russian tankers, with the latest interception occurring on May 31 in the Atlantic Ocean, over 400 nautical miles from the tip of Brittany, involving another tanker from the ‘shadow fleet’ named Tagor.
Ukrainian President Zelensky thanked the UK for seizing a Russian tanker, highlighting the operation's significance in curbing Russian funding for the war. He called for further legislative actions across Europe to enhance measures against the 'shadow fleet.'