British commandos board Russian oil tanker in rare Channel raid

British forces, working with officials from the National Crime Agency, boarded a Russian oil tanker in the English Channel in the early hours of Sunday. The ship, the "Smatros," was sailing under the flag of Cameroon and is now being held under close watch off the south coast of England while investigators continue their work.

The operation, coordinated with France, involved Royal Marine commandos descending from Chinook helicopters, with support from other aircraft, a frigate, and a mine-sweeping vessel. According to the British defense ministry, this was the first time London has led a direct military action aimed at disrupting Russia’s oil revenues.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised the raid, saying, "This successful operation lands another blow on Russia and reminds those fuelling Putin’s war in Ukraine that we will not let them hide." Britain has already imposed sanctions on nearly 600 vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet. Starmer, who is facing a possible leadership challenge and recently lost his defense secretary in a budget dispute, had approved the operation back in March.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Britain for detaining the tanker and urged Europe to take urgent legal steps not only to detain such ships and restrict oil shipments, but also to confiscate the oil they carry. He said this would help bring peace closer. The Russian embassy in London did not comment, and data analysis indicates the decision has not yet reduced the number of Russian ships passing through UK territorial waters.