British troops supported French commandos in boarding a Russian tanker suspected of evading international sanctions, the Royal Navy has confirmed. The operation targeted the vessel Tagor in international waters in the Atlantic Ocean on Sunday.
A helicopter from the Royal Navy's Type 23 frigate HMS Somerset provided tracking and monitoring during the mission. French naval specialists then boarded the ship, seizing the crew and the vessel. French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the UK's role, stating that the operation was carried out with support from several partners, including the United Kingdom.
Macron said: '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 that such vessels 'fund the war that Russia has been waging against Ukraine for more than four years' and pose a threat to the environment and safety.
The Tagor is part of Russia's so-called shadow fleet, a network of tankers used to export goods and evade sanctions imposed after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The UK and France have both vowed to prevent Russian-flagged ships from passing through their waters.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: 'We can confirm that a helicopter from onboard HMS Somerset provided tracking and monitoring in support of the French operation to board the tanker Tagor. Alongside our allies, we are stepping up our response to shadow vessels – to choke off the funds that fuel Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine.'
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov condemned the action, calling it 'illegal' and 'bordering on piracy'. He said Russia disagrees that the operation was carried out in full compliance with international law.
