UK Defends Seizing Shadow Fleet Tanker After Putin Threat

The UK government defended its seizure of a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the English Channel after Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to respond in kind.

The Smyrtos has been anchored off Weymouth since Royal Marines Commandos intercepted and boarded it in June. The UK Ministry of Defence states Russia has a fleet of more than 700 vessels, responsible for carrying 75% of the country's sanctioned oil. Overseeing Russian navy drills in the Pacific Ocean, Putin scolded Western countries for seizing our vessels, calling such action nothing other than piracy and banditry.

He warned on Wednesday, "If these plans are put into practice, we will have to respond in kind," adding, "And not necessarily in the waters where raids on our ships and vessels are planned, but wherever we deem it necessary and appropriate, anywhere." Western nations allege Russia operates a shadow fleet of hundreds of vessels to evade international sanctions on its oil exports.

In July, the European Union changed its sanctions rules to allow national authorities to sell seized Russian oil cargoes. On August 2, Italian forces under the EU's Operation Irini boarded the "Toa Payoh," a sanctioned shadow-fleet tanker. Viktor Liina, commander of Russia's Pacific Fleet, accused Western countries of operating their own shadow fleets and stated Russia has the capacity to inspect and detain such vessels.