Shadow fleet tanker seizure ‘another blow’ to Putin, Starmer says ...Middle East

Royal Marines have boarded and seized a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the English Channel for the first time, Sir Keir Starmer has announced.

Posting on X, Starmer said the seizure was “yet another blow to Russia” and reminds those supporting Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine “that we will not let them hide”.

The Ministry of Defence said Royal Marine commandos and specially trained law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency were involved in the boarding which took six hours, and was supported by aircraft from the Maritime Air Group, an RAF P-8 aircraft, as well as HMS Sutherland and HMS Ledbury.

The Smyrtos tanker has now been moved to anchor off the south coast in Portland, Dorset, tracking data shows.

Follow The i Paper’s live blog for the latest updates.

What happened in the shadow fleet operation?

The Russian crude oil tanker Smyrtos was captured by Royal Marine Commandos and specially trained law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency this morning.

The 6-hour operation is the first UK-led operation of its kind, following the government strengthening its legal position to enable it to detain sanctioned Russian ships near its waters.

It was supported from the air by Chinooks, Merlin Mk4, Wildcat and RAF P-8, as well as HMS Sutherland and HMS Ledbury.

The tanker was moved to anchor just off the coast of Portland, near Weymouth on England’s south coast.

On 25 March, Starmer authorised military personnel to carry out forced boardings, but this had not materialised until now.

Tanker anchored off the coast of Dorset, tracking data shows

According to maritime tracking data, the tanker appears to be anchored off the coast of Dorset.

Analysis: Starmer trying to shore up reputation on defence

The boarding of a Russian shadow fleet tanker in the English Channel is about as welcome a story as Sir Keir Starmer could have asked for this weekend.

After a punishing week, it lets the Prime Minister project strength on defence at the very moment his record on it has come under fire.

The operation, the first of its kind led by the UK, saw Royal Marines and National Crime Agency officers seize a vessel carrying sanctioned Russian oil, handing Downing Street a clean, visual message – Britain acting decisively against Vladimir Putin’s war effort.

The timing could hardly be better. Days earlier, Starmer lost his defence secretary, John Healey, who quit over the funding in the long-delayed Defence Investment Plan, followed out of the door by armed forces minister Al Carns. Both warned the Government was not putting enough money behind Britain’s military.

It also makes for a striking first week for the new Defence Secretary, Dan Jarvis. The former paratrooper, appointed only on Thursday, now has an early operational success to point to – even as the larger argument over how much Britain is willing to spend goes unresolved.

The estate where dozens of renters were kicked out – days before ban on evictions

Private renter Asha Garway is “emotionally drained, stressed” and trying to “figure out” her next steps.

On 3 May, two days after no fault evictions were banned under the Government’s flagship Renters’ Rights Act came into force, she received an eviction notice telling her that she would be evicted from her home on the St James’ Place estate in Bermondsey, south London, by the end of June.

Asha has lived at St James for 13 years with her two sons and is one of around 150 tenants who have been hit with rent hikes or eviction notices and now face losing their homes after their estate of affordable privately rented accommodation was sold from one company, Folio, to another, BMR Group. 

“It’s really tough,” Asha says, sitting on the sofa in her living room with the letter, which was dated at the end of April – days ahead of the evictions ban. “Our rent is already £2,400 a month before bills.”

Asha, a healthcare worker who freelances opening postal votes for the local council during election periods to earn extra money, says this is the limit of what she can afford.

“I have looked for places [to rent in the area], and it’s all beyond my budget,” Asha says. “I worry that my son’s autism means he won’t cope well with change…this is our home. We might have to move to a completely different borough, and it’s heartbreaking…really painful.”

Read the full story here.

Explainer: What is the shadow fleet?

For years, the UK has imposed sanctions on Russian oil, barring any of its ships from entering UK ports.

But the shadow fleet is used by Moscow to continue to sail Russian crude oil through British waters under flags from other countries.

In March, Starmer authorised military personnel to carry out forced boardings.

But since then, more than 200 sanctioned tankers have sailed through UK waters, The i Paper reported last month.

This is the first time UK forces have led an operation to board and intercept one of Putin’s shadow fleet tankers.

‘Another blow to Putin’ says new Defence Secretary

Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis responded to the seizure on X, writing the action “delivers another blow to Putin’s illegal war”.

He said: “Operations like this require skill, professionalism and courage.

“I pay tribute to our Armed Forces personnel and all those involved.

“Russia relies on its shadow fleet to fund their conflict in Ukraine and our interdiction delivers another blow to Putin’s illegal war.”

Operations like this require skill, professionalism and courage. I pay tribute to our Armed Forces personnel and all those involved.Russia relies on its shadow fleet to fund their conflict in Ukraine and our interdiction delivers another blow to Putin's illegal war. t.co/k5X5PBpiLX

Royal Marines board Russian shadow fleet tanker

Good morning and welcome to our coverage.

Royal Marines have boarded and seized a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the English Channel for the first time, Sir Keir Starmer has announced.

Posting on X, Starmer said the seizure was “yet another blow to Russia” and reminds those supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine “that we will not let them hide”.

“I want to thank those involved, including our Armed Forces and law enforcement officers who keep this country safe 24 hours a day, 365 days a year,” Starmer said.

The Ministry of Defence said Royal Marine commandos and specially trained law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency were involved in the boarding which took six hours and was supported by aircraft from the Maritime Air Group, an RAF P-8 aircraft, as well as HMS Sutherland and HMS Ledbury.

The Smyrtos tanker has now been moved to anchor off the south coast in Portland, Dorset, tracking data shows.

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