Britain played a role in the boarding and seizure of a Russian oil tanker in the Atlantic Ocean, French President Emmanuel Macron has confirmed. The Tagor, a vessel under international sanctions, was intercepted by the French navy on Sunday in international waters, Mr Macron announced in a post on X.
This action represents the latest move by Western nations to disrupt Moscow's so-called shadow fleet—a network of tankers used to export Russian goods and evade sanctions imposed following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
In his social media post, translated from French, Mr Macron stated: "The French Navy intercepted a new tanker under international sanctions yesterday morning, originating from Russia: the Tagor. Our determination is steadfast and unwavering." He added: "This operation was carried out in the Atlantic, in international waters, with the support of several partners including the United Kingdom, in strict compliance with the law of the sea."
Mr Macron emphasised the broader implications, saying: "It is unacceptable for ships to circumvent international sanctions, violate the law of the sea, and fund the war that Russia has been waging against Ukraine for more than 4 years. These vessels, which fail to adhere to the most basic rules of maritime navigation, also pose a threat to the environment and to everyone’s safety."
Footage accompanying the post showed French troops rappelling onto the ship’s deck from a helicopter, as well as night vision footage of armed troops walking along a gangway aboard the vessel.
The UK and France have both vowed to prevent Russian-flagged ships from passing through their waters. In March, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer authorised British forces to seize shadow fleet vessels, prompting such ships to divert away from the English Channel.
Earlier this year, the UK assisted the US in capturing the Marinera, a Russian-linked tanker travelling across the Atlantic from Venezuela. Britain also helped France seize a Russian oil tanker called the Grinch in the Mediterranean.
