By Isle of Wight Observer
Royal Marine Commandos intercepted a Russian-linked oil tanker off the Island in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the commandos, supported by National Crime Agency (NCA) officers, boarded the vessel, Smyrtos, during a six-hour mission in the Channel, the first UK-led operation of its kind.
The vessel was escorted to an anchorage off the Isle of Portland, in Dorset. The MoD confirmed the operation involved significant military support, including Chinook, Merlin Mk4, and Wildcat helicopters from the Royal Marines’ aviation wing, alongside RAF Naval support provided by HMS Sutherland and HMS Ledbury.
The Smyrtos, which sails under the Cameroon flag, departed Ust-Luga in Russia on June 5, and was bound for Port Said in Egypt.
Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, said: “This operation delivers yet another blow to Russia, and reminds those fuelling Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine that they cannot hide.”
