London/Washington: The United Kingdom has officially acknowledged its involvement in the US-led operation to seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the Atlantic Ocean. The confirmation came from UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace, who described the British support as professional and conducted in accordance with international law.
The operation, carried out by the US Coast Guard, targeted a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the Atlantic. Following the seizure, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the action, labeling it as an act of maritime piracy, and demanded guarantees for the safety and repatriation of the Russian crew aboard the vessel.
In his statement, Defence Secretary Wallace said that the British Armed Forces provided assistance at the request of the United States, offering specialized expertise and operational support. He emphasized that the UK’s involvement contributed to the success of the mission, highlighting the high level of professionalism and technical capability demonstrated by British forces.
Wallace added that the assistance was provided under international law, reinforcing the claim that the seizure was conducted with legal justification rather than unilateral aggression. The statement did not provide detailed operational specifics but confirmed British personnel were actively involved in supporting the US mission.
The US operation has drawn widespread international attention, with Moscow expressing strong opposition. Russia has demanded that the United States ensure the safety of the tanker’s crew and their prompt return home, framing the incident as a significant escalation in maritime tensions.
The UK’s acknowledgment marks a clear alignment with US actions in enforcing sanctions or strategic objectives against Russian maritime assets. Officials in London insisted that the decision to assist was carefully considered within the bounds of international maritime law and aimed at supporting lawful enforcement actions rather than provoking conflict.
This development underscores the close defense and security cooperation between the US and the UK, particularly in maritime operations in strategic international waters. Analysts note that the incident could heighten tensions with Russia while signaling the willingness of allied nations to coordinate on high-stakes operations targeting sanctioned or restricted assets.
