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French Navy Seizes Russian "Shadow Fleet" Tanker in Mediterranean

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that the French Navy boarded a Russia-linked oil tanker in the Mediterranean Sea that was subject to international sanctions. The vessel, suspected of being part of Moscow's "shadow fleet" and flying a false flag, was diverted following the operation conducted with allied support. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the action as a necessary step to curb Russia's ability to finance its war against Ukraine. This incident follows a similar detention of a Russian-linked ship by French authorities in late September.

Key Points: France Boards Russian Sanctioned Oil Tanker in Mediterranean

  • French Navy boarded sanctioned tanker
  • Vessel part of Russia's "shadow fleet"
  • Operation supported by allies in Mediterranean
  • Ukraine's Zelensky welcomed the enforcement action
2 min read

French navy boarded Russian "shadow fleet" oil tanker in Mediterranean: Macron

French Navy seizes Russia-linked "shadow fleet" tanker, enforcing sanctions. Macron vows to uphold international law, Zelensky praises move.

"We will not tolerate any violation. - Emmanuel Macron"

Paris, January 23

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday said that the French Navy had boarded a Russia-linked oil tanker in the Mediterranean Sea, asserting that France would not tolerate "any violation" of international law.

Macron said the tanker was subject to international sanctions and was suspected of operating as part of Moscow's so-called "shadow fleet," suspected of flying a false flag.

In a post on X, Macron wrote, "We will not tolerate any violation. This morning, the French Navy boarded an oil tanker coming from Russia, subject to international sanctions and suspected of flying a false flag. The operation was conducted on the high seas in the Mediterranean, with the support of several of our allies. It was carried out in strict compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. A judicial investigation has been opened. The vessel has been diverted. We are determined to uphold international law and to ensure the effective enforcement of sanctions. The activities of the "shadow fleet" contribute to financing the war of aggression against Ukraine.

According to France 24, Local maritime authorities stated that the navy seized an oil tanker called "Grinch" between Spain and Morocco after it set sail from the Russian Arctic port of Murmansk.

A ship named "Grinch" is under United Kingdom (UK) sanctions, while another called "Carl" with the same registration number is sanctioned by the United States and the European Union.

Ship-tracking websites, marinetraffic and vesselfinder, said the vessel had been flying a Comoros flag, France 24 said.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the French action, thanking Macron for what he described as a strong and necessary step to curb Russia's war financing.

In a post on X, Zelensky respond, "Thank you, France! Thank you, @EmmanuelMacron! This is exactly the kind of resolve needed to ensure that Russian oil no longer finances Russia's war. Russian tankers operating near European shores must be stopped. Sanctions against the entire infrastructure of the shadow fleet must be tough. Vessels must be apprehended. And wouldn't it be fair to confiscate and sell the oil carried by these tankers?"

According to France 24, in late September, French authorities detained a Russian-linked ship called the Boracay, a vessel claiming to be flagged in Benin, in a move Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned as "piracy".

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
Interesting to see Western powers taking action. But I hope this energy is consistent. There are so many other global conflicts where international law seems conveniently ignored. This shouldn't be selective enforcement.
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Vikram M
Putin calling it "piracy" is rich, considering the source. Flying false flags to evade sanctions is the real piracy here. Good job by the French Navy. Hope it makes a dent in their war funding.
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Ananya R
While I support upholding law, I'm concerned about escalation. The Mediterranean is a busy sea lane. Such actions need to be very precise to avoid accidental conflicts. The world economy, including ours, can't handle more shocks.
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Karthik V
Zelensky's idea to confiscate and sell the oil is a good one. Use the proceeds for Ukrainian reconstruction. Hit them where it hurts. But the legal framework for that must be watertight.
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Nikhil C
As an Indian, our position has been clear - dialogue and diplomacy. But when one side flouts all rules, sometimes action is needed. Hope this brings them back to the negotiating table. Jai Hind.

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