A joint operation by the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Air Force, and the National Crime Agency saw the 244 metre oil tanker Smyrtos boarded and seized off the UK’s south coast.
For the first time, the UK has led the seizure of a suspected Russian ‘shadow fleet’ oil tanker, following in the footsteps of a number of NATO allies. Royal Marine Commandos and specialist civilian law enforcement officers were supported by Merlin, Wildcat, and Chinook helicopters, a P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, and the Royal Navy vessels HMS Sutherland and HMS Ledbury.
The Smyrtos, which officially flies the flag of Cameroon, departed from a Russian port in the Baltic on Jun. 5, 2026. It has been listed on the UK’s sanctioned vessels list since July of last year.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer previously announced in March that seizure operations like this one had been given the legal all-clear. An official government press release clarifies: “UNCLOS Article 110 permits a warship to exercise a right of visit to verify the flag where there are reasonable grounds to suspect the vessel is without nationality. Where a vessel is determined stateless, the UK can exercise powers available under its domestic legislation.”
Now anchored off Portland, Dorset, the vessel’s long term future is likely yet to be decided. It will continue to be monitored for safety and environmental purposes.
UK has seized a shadow tanker this morning.
SMYRTOS, 9389100, has an almost certainly false flag from Cameroon, Chinese owners and Indian managment.
Last port Ust Luga, Russia – hence laden with oil. https://t.co/T6UfzEfX3O pic.twitter.com/Hj78RCQWKm
— auonsson (@auonsson) June 14, 2026
The chosen location of the seizure notably put several of the UK’s key maritime raiding capabilities directly into play. Naval helicopters could operate directly from their base at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset, meanwhile – although the UK Government does not routinely comment or confirm details of operations by the UK Special Forces (UKSF) – the world-famous Special Boat Service (SBS) is headquartered nearby in Poole and maintained on standby for counter-terrorism and seizure operations such as this.
42 Commando from Bickleigh Barracks, Plymouth – who are confirmed to have had a major role in the operation – have also undergone specific preparations for boarding operations, and as of February 2026 were validated as part of the new Special Operations Maritime Task Group.
Earlier this month, UK forces supported the French-led seizure of the tanker Tagor 400 nautical miles off the Brittany coast. The U.S., Belgium, Sweden, and Finland have all individually led similar operations.
BREAKING: Royal Marines, with support of personnel from the National Crime Agency, have boarded a sanctioned Russian oil tanker in the English Channel for the first time.
The vessel, the Smyrtos, was seized during a six-hour military operation which involved aircraft from the… pic.twitter.com/hucZQfdurs
— Tom Cotterill (@TomCotterillX) June 14, 2026
Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ comprises merchant vessels which are used to evade international sanctions. These ships regularly change their flag and their identities, masquerade as other vessels or hide completely on Automatic Identification System (AIS) screens, and use intermediary ships to refuel at sea to avoid needing to enter potentially non-friendly ports. One of the primary cargoes for Russia’s fleet is oil, allowing Russia to continue moving product between friendly nations even while under sanctions.
No details have yet been released regarding what will happen to the members of crew found aboard the ship. Previous boardings by NATO allies have seen the vessel’s captains arrested and facing prosecution.
The operation was the first public undertaking by the UK Commando Force (UKCF) under its new name. Formerly known as 3 Commando Brigade, UKCF is the special operations focused segment of the Royal Marines and comprises Royal Marines personnel as well as members of the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, and British Army who have completed the All Arms Commando Course.
My letter to the Prime Minister pic.twitter.com/j9z9nmLCb1
— John Healey (@JohnHealey_MP) June 11, 2026
It was also the first major operation overseen by the new Secretary of State for Defence, Dan Jarvis. Jarvis was promoted to the role from his former position as a security minister in the Home Office after the resignation of John Healey on Jun. 11. The former defence secretary argued that the government was failing to prepare for the global security situation and would not release the funds he believes are necessary to build the strength of the UK’s armed forces.
