After Russian dictator Vladimir Putin threatened to retaliate, the British government has defended its decision to seize a Russian shadow fleet tanker in the English Channel, the BBC reports.
The tanker Smyrtos has been anchored off Weymouth since being seized by a Royal Navy special forces unit in June. The ship’s captain, Ajay Pant, has been accused of violating sanctions on Russia by directly or indirectly supplying Russian oil.
While watching naval exercises in the Pacific, Putin lashed out at Western countries that intercept Russian ships, saying such actions were nothing more than banditry and piracy.
Western countries believe Russia is using a shadow fleet of hundreds of ships to circumvent sanctions on oil exports. These ships have a complex ownership structure and use a range of tactics to conceal the origin of their cargo, masking their links to Russia. The British Ministry of Defence has said that the shadow fleet could include more than 700 tankers, carrying around 75% of the sanctioned oil. The ministry added that the oil trade is critical to the Kremlin and allows it to continue financing its aggression against Ukraine.
Putin warned Western countries on the 12th of August not to seize tankers,
saying that if they did, Russia would respond in kind. Moreover, this would happen not only in places where raids were carried out against Russian ships, but anywhere it was deemed necessary and acceptable – in other words, everywhere. Viktor Liina, commander of the Russian Pacific Fleet, accused Western countries, including Britain and France, of having their own “shadow fleets.” Liina added that the Russians have sufficient capacity to intercept and inspect ships of unfriendly countries, and an interagency operation has been launched to deal with these challenges.
The British government, responding to Putin’s comments, said that British forces and law enforcement officers boarded the Smyrtos in full compliance with international law. The government spokesman added that, unlike the Russian shadow fleet, British forces and commercial vessels operate in accordance with international maritime law.
The Smyrtos will continue to be in the port of Weymouth, where it is monitored by British authorities. The ship’s owner is responsible for the maintenance of the ship, including providing the ship’s crew with necessary products.
22 of the 25 crew members returned to their homes in July.
Putin’s comments came as the European Union seeks to increase pressure on Russia’s shadow fleet. Speaking to Russian sailors, Putin singled out the EU for violating international shipping laws and seeking to restrict the movement of ships owned by Russian businessmen.
EU foreign policy chief Anitta Hipper said European countries would not be intimidated by Russian threats. She said the key for Europe was to limit Russia’s ability to make profits that are then used to finance the war, including by restricting the activities of the shadow fleet.
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