The UK on Tuesday announced fresh sanctions against Russia's shadow fleet of oil tankers. The move came a day after an Indian ship captain was charged for allegedly violating Western sanctions while operating one of the vessels.
The captain, 38-year-old Ajay Pant, was arrested by the National Crime Agency (NCA) after a joint operation involving British armed forces. Authorities intercepted the Russian shadow fleet tanker in the English Channel.
Pant is scheduled to appear before a magistrate in Southampton. He has been charged with allegedly breaching UK sanctions regulations by directly or indirectly supplying or transporting restricted Russian oil products to a third country during June 2026.
Chief Crown Prosecutor Joanne Jakymec said “The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to prosecute Ajay Pant for breaching Russian sanctions following a National Crime Agency investigation and the seizure of the shadow oil tanker, MV Smyrtos, travelling through the English Channel over the last weekend.”
She said prosecutors found sufficient evidence to proceed with the case and determined that prosecution was in the public interest. She also noted that the Crown Prosecution Service worked closely with the NCA throughout the investigation.
Meanwhile, the Indian High Commission in London has sought consular access to Pant through the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). A response from the UK authorities is awaited.
Officials are also working to ensure the welfare of the crew members on board the vessel. The crew includes 24 Indian and Georgian nationals. The tanker remains anchored off the Dorset coast.
At the same time, the UK government announced a new round of sanctions targeting more than 20 oil tankers linked to Russia's shadow fleet. The measures make use of enhanced powers introduced last month.
British authorities said the sanctions are also aimed at ship insurers and other service providers believed to be helping Russia continue its oil trade despite existing restrictions.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said “These sanctions target the vessels, the money and the actors propping up Russia's war economy, and in turn, threatening European security.”
“Working with our G7 allies, we will continue to increase the pressure on Putin and his circle of collaborators until Russia's war machine is brought to a halt and peace returns to our continent," he said.
The UK government also said it has become the first G7 nation to sanction several LNG vessels recently acquired by Russia. According to officials, these ships were being used to support Russia's sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 project.
Also read: Russia launches massive strike on Ukraine, 11 killed
Follow us
