The British armed forces intercepted a Russian oil tanker on Sunday as it attempted to transit the English Channel. The vessel, named SMYRTOS, was boarded by Royal Navy commandos and officers from the National Crime Agency. The UK Ministry of Defence stated the ship will be detained and monitored off the coast. This marks the first interception of a vessel linked to Russia’s “ghost fleet” – a network of tankers used to circumvent Western sanctions. Authorities suspect the fleet is involved in illicit oil trade, helping Russia to continue generating revenue despite international restrictions. The interception signals a heightened effort by the UK to enforce sanctions and disrupt Russian financial activities. Further investigations into the tanker and its cargo are underway.