British officials believe Russia will attempt to retaliate after Royal Marines seized the oil tanker Smyrtos, prompting UK ship owners to exercise greater vigilance until tensions with Moscow ease. The Smyrtos, carrying Russian crude oil worth $40 million (£30 million) to India, was intercepted on Sunday near the Isle of Wight.
Anticipated Retaliation
Military sources said the UK had considered possible responses to the seizure and anticipate that the Kremlin will want to hit back. “Seizing the Smyrtos was in the works for a long period. They had gone through the risks, and expectation is Russia will try to retaliate,” said a naval insider. “If they do so, it could be globally. They are likely to take their time and pick their moment.”
Industry Vigilance
No formal warning has been issued to British captains and ship owners, but the UK Chamber of Shipping, representing the industry, acknowledged the increased risk. “We are aware of the increased risk and owners assess the risk for themselves,” said a spokesperson. “From an industry perspective, a greater vigilance is more prevalent, given the events of the last few days.”
Seizure Details
The Smyrtos was seized in the early hours of Sunday on orders from Prime Minister Keir Starmer, 25 miles (40km) south of the Isle of Wight. Its Indian captain has been charged with breaching UK sanctions on Russia. The vessel had been monitored for several days and was falsely registered under the flag of Cameroon, making it legally stateless.
Recent Tensions
On Tuesday, sailors on a Russian frigate, the Admiral Grigorovich, fired warning shots near a British yacht in the Channel. The Ministry of Defence did not view this as retaliation, but it highlights heightened Russian nervousness as tensions deepen due to UK support for Ukraine.
British-flagged tankers have been seized in past tit-for-tat disputes. In 2019, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps held the Stena Impero in the Strait of Hormuz for two months after Royal Marines detained an Iranian oil tanker, Grace 1, in Gibraltar.
Shadow Fleet Pressure
The detention of the Smyrtos marks the first time British forces have seized a Russia-linked oil tanker, as the UK and Europe pressure Moscow’s shadow fleet of about 600 vessels. These ships transport half of Russia’s crude oil exports, a key revenue source for the war in Ukraine. Shadow fleet vessels are often old, falsely flagged, and operate with poor environmental and safety standards.
The Department for Transport, responsible for issuing security notices to ship owners, said it is in constant contact with the industry to provide the latest advice but does not comment on details.
