The British military carried out an operation in the English Channel during which they intercepted an oil tanker linked to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on 14 June on the social media platform X.
He said the British forces’ actions were “another step in the fight against sanctions-evasion schemes” that Moscow uses to export oil and fund the war against Ukraine. Starmer emphasised that “London will continue to take action against individuals and entities facilitating Russian aggression”.
“This successful operation deals another blow to Russia and serves as a reminder to those fuelling Putin’s war in Ukraine that we will not let them get away with it,” the British Prime Minister said.
Since last autumn, the French military, together with allies, has detained the tankers Grinch, Boracay and Deyna. All were subsequently released. In particular, the tanker Grinch, as stated by the French authorities, was released after a fine of “several million euros” for the crew’s failure to justify the use of the flag.