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.

07:26, Sun, Jun 14, 2026 Updated: 11:11, Sun, Jun 14, 2026 British forces have intercepted an alleged Russian shadow fleet vessel for the first time in a 6-hour operation off England's south coast. Royal Marine Commandos, alongside specially-trained law ...

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

British forces have seized a Russian shadow-fleet oil tanker that was trying to transit the English Channel, Prime Minister Keir Starmer says. “This successful operation ⁠⁠delivers yet another ⁠⁠blow to Russia and reminds those fuelling ⁠[Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s war in ⁠⁠Ukraine that ⁠⁠we will not let them hide,

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.

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