France has intercepted and seized another tanker accused of helping Russia bypass Western sanctions on its oil exports, marking the latest move against Moscow’s so-called “shadow fleet.”
French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Monday that the vessel, identified as the Tagor, was intercepted in the Atlantic Ocean during a coordinated operation involving several international partners, including the United Kingdom.
The tanker, which had departed from the Russian port of Umba, is listed under sanctions imposed by the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States.
According to ship-tracking data, the vessel had been sailing through the North Atlantic before its seizure.
Macron defended the operation, saying vessels attempting to evade international sanctions not only help finance Russia’s war in Ukraine but also pose significant risks to maritime safety and the environment.
Russia strongly condemned the move. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the seizure as illegal and said Moscow rejects France’s claim that the operation complied with international law.
The Russian Embassy in Paris said it was seeking information about the welfare of Russian citizens believed to be among the crew.
France has become increasingly vocal about the need for tougher action against Russia’s shadow fleet, a network of aging tankers accused of transporting Russian oil outside the scope of Western sanctions.
Similar operations were carried out earlier this year in the Mediterranean and near the Strait of Gibraltar.
The latest seizure comes as European countries continue efforts to tighten enforcement measures against Russia’s oil trade despite ongoing disruptions in global energy markets.
