British armed forces intercepted a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the early hours of Sunday, the U.K.’s Ministry of Defence said.

“In the first UK-led operation of its kind, the vessel SMYRTOS was boarded by Royal Marine Commandos and specially trained law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency,” the MoD said in a statement.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he directed the interception as the tanker attempted to pass through the English Channel.

“This successful operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fueling [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s war in Ukraine that we will not let them hide,” Starmer said in a post on X.

The vessel will be held off the U.K.’s south coast while investigations continue, the MoD said.

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