British military personnel assisted French special forces in boarding a Russian tanker suspected of violating sanctions. A helicopter launched from the Royal Navy’s Type 23 warship HMS Somerset tracked the sanctioned vessel The Tagor in international waters. French navy specialists boarded the tanker in the Atlantic Ocean, seizing the crew and the entire ship, with British troops playing a significant role in the operation to disrupt Russia’s financial support for the conflict in Ukraine.

This action is part of a series of efforts by Western nations to target Moscow’s shadow fleet, which is used to circumvent sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the interception of the Tagor, emphasizing the importance of upholding international law and preventing ships from supporting Russia’s military actions.

Video footage showed French troops descending onto the ship’s deck from a helicopter, highlighting the coordinated multinational effort. Both the UK and France have committed to preventing Russian-flagged vessels from passing through their waters. Prime Minister Keir Starmer approved the seizure of shadow fleet ships earlier this year, redirecting them away from the English Channel.

In previous incidents, the UK collaborated with the US to capture the Marinera, a Russian-linked tanker, and assisted the French in seizing the Grinch, a Russian oil tanker. The Kremlin dismissed these actions as illegal, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov labeling them as bordering on piracy and contrary to international law.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson confirmed the UK’s involvement in tracking the Tagor, emphasizing the joint effort with allies to disrupt the flow of funds supporting Russia’s actions in Ukraine. The conflict in Ukraine has persisted since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, prompting widespread sanctions and international efforts to counter Russian evasion tactics through its shadow fleet and other illicit means.