The French Navy took significant action on Sunday by boarding an oil tanker, the Tagor, sailing from Russia. This vessel was under international sanctions. French President Emmanuel Macron announced the operation on X.
The operation occurred in the Atlantic Ocean, on international waters. Several partners, including the United Kingdom, supported the mission. This action adhered strictly to maritime laws, Macron stated.
“It is unacceptable for ships to circumvent international sanctions, violate the law of the sea, and finance the war that Russia has been waging against Ukraine for more than four years,” said Macron.
The Maritime Prefecture of the Atlantic shared further details on Monday. The French Navy targeted the tanker over 400 nautical miles west of Brittany, coming from Murmansk, Russia.
Officials aimed to verify the vessel’s nationality, suspecting it was flying a false flag. After boarding, the inspection revealed irregularities with the flag. Pursuant to international law and a public prosecutor’s request, authorities diverted the vessel.
The prefecture did not disclose the ship’s name. Moscow has not commented on the incident.
In January, France, using U.K. intelligence, intercepted another Russian tanker in the Mediterranean. The ship, the Grinch, was also suspected of operating with a false flag. France and Britain are committed to stopping ships tied to Russia’s sanctioned shadow fleet, which transport sanctioned oil and goods for black market sales, aiding President Vladimir Putin’s war efforts in Ukraine.
In March, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer permitted U.K. forces to board ships from the shadow fleet. Despite these measures, many sanctioned Russian ships still traverse U.K. waters, according to shipping data.