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Captain of Russian shadow fleet tanker intercepted in Channel charged

Ajay Pant, 38, an Indian national, has been charged in the UK for allegedly contravening sanctions by operating the Russian-owned tanker *Smyrtos* in violation of oil export restrictions. The vessel was seized in the English Channel on Sunday by Royal Marines and National Crime Agency officers. Pant faces up to 10 years in prison under UK sanctions law. The operation involved coordinated military assets, including helicopters and naval ships.

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What changed

Pant’s formal charge was confirmed today, specifying the legal section (46Z9B of the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019) and alleging direct involvement in prohibited oil shipments from Russia to a third country.

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  1. Indian captain of Russian shadow fleet tanker Smyrtos charged after Channel interception

    Ajay Pant, 38, an Indian national, has been charged in the UK for allegedly contravening sanctions by operating the Russian-owned tanker *Smyrtos* in violation of oil export restrictions. The vessel was seized in the English Channel on Sunday by Royal Marines and National Crime Agency officers. Pant faces up to 10 years in prison under UK sanctions law. The operation involved coordinated military assets, including helicopters and naval ships.

    What's confirmed:

    • Ajay Pant, 38, an Indian citizen, is charged with contravening UK sanctions by allegedly supplying or delivering prohibited Russian oil or oil products via the tanker *Smyrtos* in June 2026.
    • The *Smyrtos* was intercepted in the English Channel by Royal Marines and National Crime Agency officers in a pre-dawn raid on Sunday, June 15, 2026.
    • The operation involved support from RAF aircraft (including P-8, Chinooks, Merlin Mk4, and Wildcat helicopters) and naval vessels HMS *Sutherland* and HMS *Ledbury*.
    • Pant could face up to 10 years in prison under Section 46Z9B of the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.
    • The *Smyrtos* is part of Russia’s ‘shadow fleet,’ a network of vessels used to circumvent international sanctions on oil exports.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • The interception was part of a broader UK crackdown on Russian shadow fleet activity ahead of new G7 sanctions.
    • Pant may cooperate with authorities in exchange for reduced charges, though no formal plea has been entered.
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