London: A 38-year-old Indian national has been arrested by UK authorities in connection with alleged violations of Western sanctions against Russia following a joint operation targeting a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the English Channel.
The arrest came after officers from the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), supported by British armed forces, boarded the vessel SMYRTOS in what British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described as the first UK-led operation of its kind.
According to an NCA spokesperson, the Indian national was arrested on suspicion of offences under UK sanctions regulations relating to Russia. The agency has not disclosed the specific allegations.
“He has been taken into custody where he will be interviewed by NCA investigators. As our investigation remains ongoing, we will not be commenting further at this time,” the spokesperson said.
The NCA said its officers worked alongside military personnel to board and seize the sanctioned tanker, which remains anchored off the Dorset coast in south-west England. Authorities said the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to curb sanctions evasion linked to Russia.
Officials stated that 24 crew members, including Indian and Georgian nationals, remain aboard the vessel and are assisting investigators.
NCA Director General Graeme Biggar said the agency remains committed to working with partners to tackle attempts to circumvent sanctions imposed on Russia.
Prime Minister Starmer said the operation sent a clear message that those supporting Russia’s war effort could not avoid scrutiny.
The UK’s Ministry of Defence said the tanker would remain under monitoring for environmental and safety reasons. Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis described the action as a blow to Russia’s ability to finance its military operations.
The six-hour operation involved Royal Marine Commandos, National Crime Agency officers, Royal Air Force aircraft and Royal Navy vessels. British authorities said the action was conducted in international waters in accordance with domestic and international law.
The UK government has intensified efforts against what it describes as Russia’s “shadow fleet”—a network of vessels allegedly used to transport sanctioned oil while obscuring ownership and operational details. British officials claim more than 500 vessels linked to the network have already been sanctioned.
The investigation into the tanker and the arrested Indian national remains ongoing.
