Sanctioned vessel boarded in first UK-led operation of its kind as Britain targets Moscow’s oil revenues

ROYAL MARINE COMMANDOS have boarded and seized a sanctioned Russian-linked oil tanker in the English Channel in a major UK-led military operation targeting Moscow’s so-called “shadow fleet”.

The vessel, named Smyrtos, was intercepted in the early hours of Sunday morning (Jun 14) as it attempted to pass through the Channel.

The six-hour operation involved Royal Marines, officers from the National Crime Agency, HMS Sutherland, HMS Ledbury, RAF P-8 maritime surveillance aircraft, and helicopters including Chinooks, Merlin Mk4s and Wildcats.

The tanker, which has been linked to Russia’s efforts to evade international oil sanctions, is now being held and monitored off the south coast of England while investigations continue.

The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, said he had directed British forces to intercept the vessel, describing the operation as another blow to Russia’s war economy.

He said: “This successful operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fuelling Putin’s war in Ukraine that we will not let them hide.”

The Ministry of Defence said it was the first UK-led operation of its kind against a Russian shadow fleet vessel.

The Smyrtos was reportedly sailing under a Cameroonian flag, although shipping reports say questions had already been raised over its registry status.

The tanker had travelled from Ust-Luga in Russia and was understood to be heading towards Port Said in Egypt. Some reports said it was carrying hundreds of thousands of barrels of Russian crude oil.

The “shadow fleet” is the name given to a network of ageing and often obscurely owned tankers used to move Russian oil around the world despite sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine.

Western governments say the fleet helps generate billions of pounds for Vladimir Putin’s war machine.

Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis praised those involved in the operation, saying missions of this kind required “skill, professionalism and courage”.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the UK for taking action, and called for European countries to go further by passing laws allowing not only detention of suspect vessels but the confiscation of their cargoes.

The operation was carried out in coordination with French authorities and marks a significant escalation in Britain’s enforcement of sanctions at sea.

Officials said the vessel would be monitored for environmental and safety concerns while the investigation continues.

Photo caption: Royal Marines board the tanker Smyrtos during the UK-led operation in the English Channel (Pic: Ministry of Defence / UK Defence Journal).

A CELEBRATION of the River Cleddau brought crowds into Haverfordwest on Saturday (June 13) as the town’s River Festival returned for a second year.

The event, centred around HaverHub and stretching along the quay towards the Bristol Trader, attracted families, visitors and local residents for a packed day of riverside activities.

Organised by The Cleddau Project, the festival showcased the beauty, wildlife and heritage of the Cleddau, with visitors enjoying canoe trips on the river, live music, demonstrations, art exhibitions, science activities and a wide range of community stalls.

County Councillor for Castle Ward, Thomas Tudor, attended the event and said it was “great” to see so many people visiting the County Town of Pembrokeshire.

He thanked organisers, volunteers and supporters for helping make the day such a success.

The sunny weather helped draw large crowds to the riverside, with many gathering along the embankment to watch activities on the water, including canoeing and boat displays. Free canoe trips proved particularly popular, giving people a chance to experience the Western Cleddau from a different perspective.

Community groups and charities were also out in force, sharing information about river conservation, marine wildlife, recycling and local environmental projects. Exhibitions highlighted the importance of protecting Pembrokeshire’s waterways, while stalls offered local produce, crafts and refreshments throughout the day.

A specially crafted coracle — a traditional small boat linked to Welsh river heritage — was also on display, helping visitors learn more about historic life on the river and Pembrokeshire’s maritime traditions.

Crowds lined the riverside near the Riverside Shopping Centre as the festival atmosphere continued into the afternoon, with families taking advantage of the warm weather to relax beside the water.

The festival was supported by a number of organisations including Haverfordwest Town Council, Pembrokeshire County Council, HaverHub, Riverside Shopping Centre and Pembrokeshire Care, Share & Give.

Organisers say the event is aimed at reconnecting people with the river that helped shape Haverfordwest, while celebrating the Cleddau as one of Pembrokeshire’s greatest natural assets.

Finance spokesperson says opposition knew full scale of funding pressures before election

WELSH LABOUR has accused Plaid Cymru of attempting to rewrite history over the scale of the financial pressures facing the Welsh Government, following comments made by Finance Cabinet Minister Elin Jones.

Speaking on BBC Radio Wales Sunday Supplement and BBC Wales Politics Wales, Elin Jones MS suggested the new Welsh Government had inherited a far more difficult financial position than expected.

But Welsh Labour has now hit back, insisting Plaid Cymru had full access to the same information before the election and could not claim surprise at the state of public finances.

Responding to the remarks, Welsh Labour’s finance spokesperson, Huw Thomas MS said: “It is fanciful to say that Plaid Cymru didn’t know the scale of the financial challenge facing Welsh Government.

“Welsh Labour was always honest about the challenge, the IFS told us all of the challenge, Plaid Cymru even had access to the government books to see for themselves.”

The row comes amid growing scrutiny over the Welsh Government’s spending plans, with ministers facing mounting pressure over public services, NHS waiting lists, local authority finances and wider economic pressures.

Earlier this year, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) warned that the next Welsh Government would face a “challenging funding outlook”, highlighting rising demands on spending and concerns over long-term sustainability.

In an analysis published in February, the independent economic think tank warned that even funding models based more heavily on relative need could leave Wales facing difficult choices in the years ahead.

The exchange marks the latest sign of tension between Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru after the collapse of their previous cooperation agreement in the Senedd. With both parties seeking to shape the political narrative around Wales’ financial future, disagreements over responsibility for spending pressures are likely to intensify in the months ahead.