UK forces board Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in English Channel

British forces, including Royal Marines, boarded a Russian oil tanker from the so-called shadow fleet in the English Channel. The operation was confirmed by Prime Minister Starmer and marks a significant escalation in UK efforts to disrupt Russia's covert oil exports.

The shadow fleet refers to aging, often uninsured tankers that Russia uses to bypass Western sanctions on its oil trade. The boarding took place in the Channel, a busy shipping lane, and was captured on video. No injuries or major incidents were reported during the operation.