Ajay Pant, 38, has been charged over allegations that he directly or indirectly facilitated the shipment of prohibited Russian oil or oil products to a third country by sea in June 2026.

UK charges Indian captain of Russian shadow fleet tanker with sanctions offences

British armed forces launched a major operation in the English Channel on Sunday, intercepting the sanctioned Russian-linked oil tanker Smyrtos in a move aimed at disrupting revenue streams that help fund Moscow's war in Ukraine. Royal Marine Commandos and National Crime Agency officials boarded the vessel with support from helicopters, naval assets and surveillance aircraft, marking Britain's first direct operation targeting Russia's shadow fleet at sea.


British Defence Forces Intercept Tanker Belonging to Russian Shadow Fleet 

British forces intercepted and boarded a Russian shadow fleet tanker in the English Channel. The UK said the operation targets sanctions evasion and weakens Russia’s ability to fund the war in Ukraine.

UK forces intercept Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in English Channel