Russian Shadow Fleet Vessel Intercepted: Captain Charged with Violating Sanctions
A Russian shadow fleet vessel intercepted by British troops led to the captain, Ajay Pant, being charged with contravening sanctions, according to the National Crime Agency (NCA). Pant, an Indian national, is accused of violating the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 by supplying prohibited oil or oil products from Russia to a third country in June 2026. The vessel, Smyrtos, was seized by Royal Marine commandos and NCA officers in the Channel in the UK's first operation to capture a sanctioned vessel. Pant is set to appear in Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday. The ship, with 24 crew members from Georgia and India, remains anchored off Weymouth.
The interception of a Russian shadow fleet vessel by British troops resulted in the captain, Ajay Pant, being charged with violating sanctions, as announced by the National Crime Agency (NCA). Pant, an Indian national, is accused of contravening the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 by supplying prohibited oil or oil products from Russia to a third country in June 2026. The vessel, Smyrtos, was seized by Royal Marine commandos and NCA officers in the Channel in the UK's first operation to capture a sanctioned vessel. Pant is scheduled to appear in Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday. The ship, with 24 crew members from Georgia and India, remains anchored off Weymouth.
The captain of a Russian shadow fleet vessel intercepted by British troops, Ajay Pant, has been charged with contravening sanctions, according to the National Crime Agency (NCA). Pant, an Indian national, is accused of violating the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 by supplying prohibited oil or oil products from Russia to a third country in June 2026. The vessel, Smyrtos, was seized by Royal Marine commandos and NCA officers in the Channel in the UK's first operation to capture a sanctioned vessel. Pant is set to appear in Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday. The ship, with 24 crew members from Georgia and India, remains anchored off Weymouth.
In conclusion, the captain of a Russian shadow fleet vessel intercepted by British troops, Ajay Pant, has been charged with contravening sanctions for supplying prohibited oil or oil products from Russia to a third country. The vessel, Smyrtos, was seized in the Channel by Royal Marine commandos and NCA officers in the UK's first operation to capture a sanctioned vessel. Pant, an Indian national, is scheduled to appear in Southampton Magistrates’ Court, while the ship, with 24 crew members from Georgia and India, remains anchored off Weymouth.