Britain takes major action against ‘Shadow Fleet’ amid Ukraine war, Russian oil tanker seized in English Channel

Russian Oil Tanker Seized: Amidst the Ukraine war, the action of Western countries against Russia has now been intensified at sea also. For the first time, the British Army has seized an oil tanker belonging to Russia’s Shadow Fleet in the English Channel by conducting a six-hour operation. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer himself gave this information by posting it on social media X.

Thanks to the British team for the successful operation

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrote on Twitter that this morning I described our military as a ‘shadow fleet’. Instructed to stop an oil tanker. This oil tanker was trying to pass through the English Channel. This successful operation has dealt another blow to Russia. He further wrote that we will not let those who are promoting Putin’s war in Ukraine to hide. PM Keir Starmer thanked the British commandos and their team involved in this operation. He wrote that our army keeps this country safe 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, thanks to them.

In the early hours of this morning, I directed our Armed Forces to intercept a shadow fleet oil tanker attempting to pass through the English Channel.

This successful operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fueling Putin’s war in Ukraine that we will not…

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 14, 2026

Let us tell you that before Britain, France has also seized many oil tankers belonging to Russia’s Shadow Fleet. Who transport Russian oil ignoring international sanctions.

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CNN reports that the seized tanker was the Cameroon-flagged ‘Smartos’ Which was banned by the UK last year for carrying Russian oil. The operation to capture the Russian Shadow Fleet involved British commandos and the UK’s National Crime Agency.

Keir Starmer also posted a video on social media in which UK commandos are seen landing on the ship from a helicopter and going inside. While sharing the video, the PM wrote that despite all the efforts of Putin, he could not escape the sanctions.

Despite Putin’s best efforts to evade sanctions, we will not let him get away with it. pic.twitter.com/IIW3Cv2ENQ

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 14, 2026

Shadow fleet illegally exports oil

Let us tell you that in March, Prime Minister Keir Starmer had given permission to the British Army to stop Russian ships. Western governments have alleged that the ‘Shadow Fleet’ The ship helps Moscow illegally export oil despite tight Western sanctions.