Britain helps capture sanctioned Russian oil tanker in blow to Vladimir Putin's shadow fleet

The Russian tanker, Grinch, was travelling from the Arctic port of Murmansk and was sanctioned by the UK, US and EU at the time of the seizure.

French authorities confirmed the ship, which was flying under the flag of Comoros, was stopped by its forces in order to cut off the financing of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Defence Secretary John Healey has now confirmed to GB News that British forces were involved in the operation.

Mr Healey said: "Deterring, disrupting and degrading the Russian shadow fleet is a priority for this Government. I can confirm that the UK has provided tracking and monitoring in support of the French operation to board the tanker Grinch.

"This support included HMS Dagger monitoring the vessel through the Straits of Gibraltar. Alongside our allies, we are stepping up our response to shadow vessels, to choke off the funds that fuel Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine.

Grinch was part of Moscow's so-called "shadow fleet", a secret network of tankers used to dodge Western sanctions on Russian oil exports.

The vessels attempted to evade capture by transporting the oil on aged tankers with obscure ownership or insurance. Russia's Embassy in France said it had not been informed of the seizure.

British officials confirmed no British troops or surveillance aircraft were understood to have been used during the mission but a British vessel, HMS Dagger, stalked the tanker through the Strait of Gibraltar.

President Emmanuel Macron said: "The operation was conducted on the high seas in the Mediterranean, with the support of several of our allies. It was carried out in strict compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

"A judicial investigation has been opened. The vessel has been diverted.

"We are determined to uphold international law and to ensure the effective enforcement of sanctions. The activities of the 'shadow fleet' contribute to financing the war of aggression against Ukraine."

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the operation was "exactly the kind of resolve needed".

He suggested the oil carried by tankers of the shadow fleet be confiscated and sold.

The case was referred to the prosecutor of Marseille, who handles matters related to maritime law.

The prosecutor ordered the ship to be diverted for further investigation.

Mr Healey has pledged to step up Britain's action against Vladimir Putin’s "shadow fleet" of tankers.

Speaking in Kyiv last month, the Defence Secretary said: "We can and we will need to clamp down with other nations. I’m looking at further military options that could help clamp down on the activities and then the movements of the shadow fleet."

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence added: "Deterring, disrupting and degrading the Russian shadow fleet is a priority for this Government.

"Alongside our allies, we are stepping up our response to shadow vessels, and we will continue to do so."