Arrest made after seizure of Russian oil tanker in Channel (opens original article in a new tab)

UK authorities arrested an Indian national and seized a Russian oil tanker in the English Channel as part of sanctions enforcement against Russia's 'shadow fleet' of oil vessels. The operation marked the first time UK armed forces boarded a sanctioned vessel in international waters, following coordinated efforts with France to disrupt Russian oil trade.

• Indian national arrested on suspicion of sanctions offences after seizure of Russian oil tanker in English Channel
• UK forces conducted first-ever operation to board sanctioned vessel in international waters
• UK and France coordinated to intercept sanctioned Russian oil tanker as part of broader sanctions efforts
• Smyrtos tanker, previously named Myrtos, was sanctioned in July 2025 and changed flag twice