Britain and France have jointly intercepted a sanctioned Russian oil tanker suspected of flying a false flag in the Atlantic Ocean, French President Emmanuel Macron has confirmed. The vessel, named the Tagor, was boarded by the French Navy in international waters with support from the United Kingdom.
Macron announced the operation on Monday, stating that the French Navy acted “with the support of several partners including the United Kingdom.” He described the interception as a demonstration of unwavering determination to enforce international sanctions and prevent vessels from funding Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The Maritime Prefecture of the Atlantic said the tanker was intercepted more than 400 nautical miles west of Brittany, coming from the Russian port of Murmansk. After boarding, an inspection confirmed suspicions that the ship was flying an irregular flag, leading to its diversion at the request of the public prosecutor.
Both Britain and France have vowed to disrupt ships linked to Russia’s shadow fleet. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced earlier this year that Royal Marine commandos could board and halt such vessels in UK waters. Defence Secretary John Healey warned that any attempt to damage undersea infrastructure would have serious consequences.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson confirmed that a helicopter from HMS Somerset provided tracking and monitoring support during the French operation. The UK has declassified reports of Russian submarines loitering near critical undersea infrastructure, but shipping data shows dozens of sanctioned Russian ships continue to cross UK waters without being seized.
