Starmer says British army stops shadow fleet tanker

In the English Channel on June 14, 2026, British armed forces intercepted a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said. Royal Marines boarded the sanctioned tanker, named Smyrtos, and Starmer posted a video of the boarding. CNN wrote that it was the first time the UK had intercepted a Russian 'shadow fleet' tanker.

Ukraine thanked the UK for intercepting the sanctioned tanker. Press TV wrote that Britain seized the tanker amid rising tensions with Moscow.