On 14 June, members of 42 Commando of the UK Commando force conducted maritime interdiction operations on CMR Smyrtos sailing under a false Cameroonian flag as part of Russia’s ‘Shadow Fleet’.
In the first UK-led operation of its kind, the tanker was boarded by Royal Marine Commandos and specially trained law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency, despite Russia’s best efforts to evade sanctions and continue fuelling its war with Ukraine. The operation was supported by Merlin HC.4, Chinook HC.6, and Wildcat AH.1 helicopters, an RAF Poseidon MRA.1 aircraft, as well as HMS Sutherland and HMS Ledbury.
British Armed Forces and law enforcement officers can board Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ vessels, in accordance with domestic and international law.
On July 20, EU law enforcement authorities detained the Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ vessel MV South Star Irine on suspicion of operating under a false Cameroonian flag. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, said, “Every illicit voyage helps sustain Russia’s war machine. We are matching our sanctions with action at sea”.
In a European Union naval mission led by Italy, EUNAVFOR MED IRINI boarded the tanker Toa Payoh, which is part of Russia’s ‘Shadow Fleet,’ on 2 August. The tanker, which was under EU sanctions, was approached west of the Sicilian island of Pantelleria while sailing from Benin to Istanbul. According to a source familiar with the operation, the vessel switched to the Cameroonian flag only the previous week.
The ship’s captain initially refused to cooperate with the EU mission, prompting a team of Italian Special Forces to board the vessel from SH-90 and AW 101 Merlin helicopters launched from the operation’s flagship, Thaon di Revel-class offshore patrol vessel.
The inspection, conducted with support from a Greek vessel and a Polish An-38M Bryza maritime patrol aircraft, lasted about two hours and was completed.
by David Oliver
