The UK military has intercepted an oil tanker linked to Russia’s shadow fleet in the English Channel, according to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in the first such operation by British forces.

British forces intercepted and boarded a sanctioned Russian tanker in the English Channel and arrested an Indian national in first UK-led operation against Russia's shadow fleet.

Keir Starmer said British armed forces intercepted a Russian shadow fleet vessel in the early hours of Sunday morning

French forces aided by British military personnel, boarded the ship - thought to have come from Russia carrying oil in breach of strict sanctions - in international waters.

Navy commandos boarded the ship under cover of darkness by fast-roping from a helicopter in the dark, according to footage released by the ministry.

Forwarder, a Russian-flagged ship which left port in Primorsk last week, entered the Channel on Wednesday evening.

07:26, Sun, Jun 14, 2026 Updated: 11:11, Sun, Jun 14, 2026 British forces have intercepted an alleged Russian shadow fleet vessel for the first time in a 6-hour operation off England's south coast. Royal Marine Commandos, alongside specially-trained law ...

The captain of a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker which was intercepted by Royal Marine Commandos in the English Channel on Sunday has been charged with contravening sanctions, the National Crime Agency said.

It comes after the UK announced earlier this month that it had intercepted and boarded the Russian shadow fleet tanker "Smyrtos" in the English Channel. View on euronews

British armed forces on Sunday ⁠intercepted a Russian shadow fleet ‌oil tanker attempting to pass through the English Channel.