Captain Charged Over Sanctions Breach Following Vessel Seizure
Ajay Pant, the captain of a Russian shadow fleet tanker carrying 98,000 tonnes of oil, has been remanded in custody after British troops intercepted the vessel in the English Channel. Pant faces charges related to breaching sanctions.
The 38-year-old Indian national is accused of directly or indirectly supplying or delivering prohibited Russian oil or oil products by ship to a third country in June 2026, violating Regulation 46Z9B of the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.
Pant appeared via video link from Bournemouth police station at Southampton magistrates court on Tuesday for a preliminary hearing. During the hearing, he confirmed his identity details and gave his address as being in India. He did not indicate a plea. His solicitor, James Diamond, requested the case be sent to crown court, stating that Pant was "simply following orders."
Prosecution Details and Court Proceedings
Prosecutor Verun Chuni informed the court that those found guilty of the charges faced by Pant could receive a "substantial" sentence of up to 10 years.
"The facts of this matter are that on the morning of June 14, 2026, Royal Marines and the National Crime Agency boarded MV Smyrtos. That vessel had entered UK territorial waters without a legitimate flag.
"The master of that vessel has been identified as Mr Pant. He is an Indian national, and he was arrested on the evening of June 14 and remanded in custody."
Chuni added that the vessel was carrying a significant amount of oil, stating:
"The amount of oil being carried was significant. I am told that it is 98,000 tonnes of oil. It is uncontroversial to state that it will be a significant value of money."
He also noted that the tanker was sailing under the Cameroon flag at the time of seizure.
Defense Statement
Defence solicitor James Diamond said:
"The defendant is very clear on his actions that it was not his choice as to where this vessel was going or the cargo this vessel was carrying. He was simply following orders from those in the corporation. He is simply an employee doing his job who finds himself put before a British court."
Government Response and Operation Details
Prime Minister Keir Starmer shared a video on TikTok on Sunday showing heavily armed Royal Marine commandos boarding the oil-laden tanker. The vessel was sailing south of the Isle of Wight en route from Russia to India.
Subsequent footage released by the Ministry of Defence depicted marine commandos rappelling from a Chinook helicopter onto the tanker at night, alongside officers from the National Crime Agency inspecting the tanker’s paperwork.
Vessel and Crew Information
The MV Smyrtos was carrying over 100,000 tonnes of Russian crude oil, according to maritime publication Lloyd’s List. Although the tanker sailed under a Cameroon flag, it had been expelled from the African country’s registry, rendering it legally stateless.
The ship’s 24 crew members, hailing from Georgia and India, remain onboard the vessel, which is currently anchored off Weymouth in Dorset.
