An undocumented Russian tanker has crossed into the English Channel for the first time following the interception of the Smyrtos by UK forces on Sunday, according to ship-tracking data.
The vessel known as Forwarder, flying the Russian flag, has been navigating the Channel since Wednesday afternoon, departing from Primorsk, the largest port in Russia’s Baltic Sea, last week with a cargo of oil, as reported by the BBC, citing satellite images.
Data from ship-tracking sources suggest that the HMS Tyne, a Royal Navy patrol vessel, is currently in the vicinity of the Forwarder’s position.
Despite being sanctioned by the UK, US, and EU in 2025, the Russian tanker is indicating its final destination as Dongying port in China.
According to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Russia’s shadow fleet, consisting of over 700 vessels, serves as a crucial transport link for Moscow, handling 75% of the country’s oil and contributing to the financing of military activities in Ukraine.
This marks the first instance of a UK-sanctioned shadow fleet vessel transiting through the Channel since the interception of the Russian tanker Smyrtos by Royal Marines and National Crime Agency personnel in the Channel last Sunday.
Following the successful detainment of a sanctioned vessel in a UK-led operation, tracking data revealed that several sanctioned ships altered their routes to avoid the Channel, as per the BBC.
An MoD representative informed the Mirror that the department would refrain from commenting on “specific operational planning or providing a continuous update”, stating that such disclosures could jeopardize the effectiveness of actions taken against these vessels.
Subsequent to the seizure of the Smyrtos, carrying 98,000 tonnes of crude oil, the vessel’s captain appeared in court facing allegations of violating sanctions.
Ajay Pant, a 38-year-old Indian national, stands accused of involvement in the supply or delivery of prohibited oil or oil products from <a aria-label="RussiaLink opens in a new tab
