The French navy has detained a suspected Russian oil tanker in the Atlantic Ocean, marking the latest action against Moscow's 'shadow fleet' of vessels evading international sanctions. President Emmanuel Macron announced the operation on Sunday, stating that the ship, the Tagor, was seized in international waters approximately 400 nautical miles west of Brittany with assistance from the United Kingdom and other partners.
The Tagor was en route from Murmansk in northwestern Russia when it was intercepted. French authorities reported that the vessel was flying a false Cameroonian flag and was heading towards Limbe, Cameroon. After boarding, an inspection confirmed irregularities with the flag, leading to the ship's diversion to an anchorage point for further checks. The tanker, carrying 23 crew members, is subject to both EU and US sanctions.
Macron posted a video of the operation on X, showing commandos descending from a helicopter onto the ship. He stated, 'It is unacceptable for ships to circumvent international sanctions, violate the law of the sea, and finance the war that Russia has been waging against Ukraine for more than four years.' The Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, condemned the seizure as 'illegal' and 'bordering on international piracy,' adding that Russia is taking measures to ensure the safety of its cargo.
France and the UK have pledged to disrupt shadow fleet vessels passing through their waters. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer authorised the British military to board such ships in March. However, shipping data indicates that dozens of Russia-linked vessels continue to traverse UK waters. Since September, France has boarded three other shadow fleet ships, releasing them after fines were paid. This latest seizure underscores ongoing efforts to enforce sanctions against Russia's maritime activities.
