Ajay Pant, 38, appeared before a UK court after being charged with facilitating the transport of prohibited Russian oil aboard the tanker MV Smyrtos. British authorities allege the vessel was operating as part of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet and entered UK waters without a valid flag.
BY PC Bureau
June 21, 2026: An Indian merchant navy captain has been detained in the United Kingdom after British authorities intercepted a Russian oil tanker allegedly linked to Moscow’s shadow fleet while it was sailing from Russia to India. The arrest has sparked concern among his family members in Uttarakhand and drawn the attention of Indian diplomatic authorities, who are now monitoring the case closely.
Ajay Pant, 38, a resident of Nainital in Uttarakhand, appeared before a UK court after being charged with allegedly transporting prohibited Russian oil in violation of British sanctions regulations. Prosecutors claim the tanker MV Smyrtos was carrying sanctioned Russian crude and had entered UK territorial waters without a legitimate flag. Pant’s legal team, however, argued that he was merely an employee carrying out instructions from the vessel’s operators and had no control over the cargo or destination.
Family and State Government Seek Centre’s Intervention
Pant’s family has appealed to the Indian government to assist in securing his release and safe return, insisting that he is being unfairly held responsible for decisions made by the shipping company. His wife said she learned of the arrest through media reports and maintained that her husband has an unblemished maritime career spanning more than 15 years. The Uttarakhand government has also approached the Ministry of External Affairs, while the Indian High Commission in the UK has been granted consular access to the detained captain.
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UK Intensifies Crackdown on Russia’s Shadow Fleet
British authorities described the operation as a significant step in enforcing sanctions imposed on Russia following the war in Ukraine. Royal Marines and National Crime Agency officers boarded the tanker in a dramatic operation after it entered UK waters. According to reports, the vessel had loaded more than 100,000 tonnes of Russian Urals crude and was headed to Gujarat’s Sikka port. The tanker remains anchored off the coast of Dorset as investigations continue, while Pant faces a charge that carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years if convicted.
