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.

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.

Marines were joined by National Crime Agency officers in the six-hour long operation in the early hours of Sunday.

It is the first time the British navy has boarded an oil tanker sanctioned for its ties to Russia. Defense Secretary Dan Jarvis said the operation was carried out in 'close coordination with the French.

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.

THIS is the moment French commandos storm a Russian shadow fleet tanker in the latest blow to Vladimir Putin’s war machine. It comes after a stunning first-of-its-kind Royal Marines

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