Daijiworld Media Network – London
London, Jun 16: An Indian national has been charged by British authorities after a dramatic military operation led to the seizure of a tanker allegedly linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet” in the English Channel.
Ajay Pant, 38, captain of the tanker Smyrtos, has been charged with violating UK sanctions related to the transportation of Russian oil and could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted. British authorities allege that he was involved in the supply or delivery of prohibited Russian oil to a third country.
The tanker was intercepted on June 14 in a six-hour operation involving Royal Marine Commandos, officers from the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), Royal Navy vessels and military aircraft. The operation marked the first UK-led seizure of a vessel linked to Russia’s shadow fleet, a network of ships used to transport Russian oil outside Western sanctions frameworks.
According to British authorities, the vessel was sailing under a Cameroonian flag but was later determined to be effectively stateless, allowing British forces to board and detain it under international and domestic law.
The Smyrtos was carrying more than 100,000 tonnes of Russian crude oil and was reportedly bound for India when it was intercepted in the Channel. The crew, comprising Indian and Georgian nationals, did not resist the boarding operation.
The UK's National Crime Agency said Pant has been charged under Regulation 46Z9B of the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 for “directly or indirectly supplying or delivering by ship prohibited oil or oil products from Russia to a third country.” He is scheduled to appear before the Southampton Magistrates’ Court.
The tanker remains detained off the southern coast of England near Weymouth, while the remaining 24 crew members continue to stay on board as investigations proceed.
British officials described the operation as part of a broader effort to enforce sanctions imposed on Russia over the war in Ukraine. The UK government said it has already sanctioned nearly 600 vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet and intends to continue targeting attempts to circumvent international restrictions.