The UK has decided to auction a large shipment of Russian crude oil seized from the detained tanker Smirtos. According to sources, the British government plans to use the proceeds from the sale to finance Ukraine's military efforts.
At the center of the events is a cargo of 98,000 tons of Ural-grade oil. The market value of this volume is estimated at approximately 35 million British pounds (over 44 million US dollars). British officials justify the confiscation by stating that the vessel violated sanctions legislation, and the cargo now legally becomes the property of the United Kingdom.
Fate of the vessel and charges against the captain
The Russian tanker Smirtos was detained in the English Channel on June 14, 2026. The operation to seize the vessel was carried out with the involvement of the Royal Marines. At present, the tanker is anchored off the coast of Weymouth under the control of the UK Ministry of Defence.
Authorities have promised that after the conclusion of the investigation, which is being conducted by the National Crime Agency, the vessel itself is planned to be released back to Russia. However, the crew will not escape responsibility. The ship's captain, Indian citizen Ajay Pant, has been charged with intentionally circumventing sanctions and illegally supplying Russian petroleum products.
The captain will remain in custody until the trial, which is scheduled for July 16. The defense has already stated that Pant acted solely on orders and had no ability to control the vessel's route.
Strategy to combat the shadow fleet
The UK government emphasizes that the raid on Smirtos is just the beginning of a large-scale campaign against the Russian Federation's "shadow fleet." Officials note that the situation is complicated by the fact that some Russian tankers in the English Channel are escorted by Russian naval vessels, making their direct confiscation impossible without the risk of escalation.
This incident occurs against the backdrop of increased pressure on the Russian fleet from European countries. In particular, the French Navy recently detained the oil tanker Deliver off the coast of Sicily, which was moving in violation of maritime law.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Europe is closing maritime loopholes for Russian oil thanks to the common and determined position of allies. This became possible after the EU Council decided to expand the powers of the IRINI naval mission in the Mediterranean. Authorized bodies clarified that military personnel now have the right to board suspicious tankers even without the consent of the captains to check for sanctions compliance.