Russian tanker captain remanded into custody after vessel seized in Channel

The captain of a Russian shadow fleet vessel containing 98,000 tonnes of oil, which was intercepted by British troops in the Channel, has been remanded in custody after appearing in court charged with breaching sanctions. Ajay Pant, 38, has been charged with directly or indirectly supplying or delivering by ship prohibited oil or oil products from Russia to a third country in June 2026, in contravention of Regulation 46Z9B of the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. Pant, an Indian national, appeared at Southampton magistrates court by video link from Bournemouth police station on Tuesday for a preliminary hearing, during which he spoke to confirm his name and date of birth and gave his address as being in India. He gave no indication of his plea and his solicitor, James Diamond, requested the case be sent to the crown court, adding that his client had been “simply following orders”. The prosecutor Varun Chuni told the court people found guilty of the charges faced by Pant faced a “substantial” sentence of up to 10 years. Chuni said: “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 said: “The amount of oil being carried was significant. …