France Intercepts Sanctioned Russian Oil Tanker with UK Assistance
France intercepted a sanctioned oil tanker suspected of being part of Russia's so-called shadow fleet on Sunday, with support from the United Kingdom, French President Emmanuel Macron announced.
French maritime authorities reported that officers boarded the vessel named Tagor in the Atlantic Ocean. The tanker was detained approximately 400 nautical miles west of Brittany after being identified as flying a false flag.
"It is unacceptable for ships to circumvent international sanctions, violate the law of the sea, and fund the war that Russia has been waging against Ukraine,"Macron wrote on X.
A British helicopter provided operational support during the mission, according to the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), which informed the BBC.
Russian Response and Shadow Fleet Context
The Kremlin condemned the seizure as "illegal" and described it as "bordering on international piracy." Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Russian government, stated,
"Russia is taking measures to ensure the safety of its cargo,"reflecting Moscow's stance on the incident.
Since the onset of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia has operated a "shadow fleet" of oil tankers characterized by obscure ownership structures. These vessels aim to evade international sanctions imposed on Russian oil exports.
This event marks the fourth time since September 2025 that France has boarded a vessel suspected to be part of this shadow fleet.
Details of the Operation and Allied Cooperation
President Macron emphasized that the operation occurred in international waters and was conducted in collaboration with allies, including the UK,
"in strict compliance with the law of the sea."
An MoD spokesperson detailed that a helicopter deployed from HMS Somerset was responsible for tracking and monitoring to support the French operation.
"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."
The spokesperson further highlighted the risks posed by these vessels, stating,
"These vessels, which fail to adhere to the most basic rules of maritime navigation, also pose a threat to the environment and to everyone's safety."
In a video shared by President Macron, armed naval officers were seen boarding the tanker via helicopter. The BBC has not independently verified this footage.
Previous Actions and UK Involvement
Previously, French authorities had allowed such ships to continue operations after their owners paid fines. However, France has since committed to blocking these vessels.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced in March that he had authorized the UK military to board sanctioned Russian ships.
Despite this, BBC Verify analysis indicates that nearly 200 Russian "shadow fleet" vessels had entered UK waters as of 11 May, following the prime minister's mid-March threat to intercept them.
The MoD stated at the time that it was "disrupting and deterring" shadow fleet vessels but did not provide specific operational details.
This coordinated effort between France and the UK reflects an intensified approach to enforcing sanctions and curbing the financing of Russia's military actions in Ukraine.
