French prosecutors announced on 2/7 that the Tagor oil tanker would be allowed to leave the country's waters after its owner, a company based in the Marshall Islands, paid a fine of one million EUR (approximately 1.1 million USD) for failing to fly a valid flag and not complying with orders.

The Tagor was intercepted by the French navy on 31/5 after it departed from Murmansk port en route to Limbe, Cameroon. At the time, the vessel was flying the Cameroon flag, despite being registered under the Madagascar flag.

French soldiers rappel from a helicopter to intercept the Tagor oil tanker on 31/5. Video: *French Navy*

The ruling was issued by the court in Brest, western France, after the vessel's owning company accepted a plea bargain. According to prosecutors, the owner pledged to "make efforts to obtain a new legal flag as soon as possible".

The Tagor is believed to be part of Russia's "shadow fleet", which is under sanctions by the United States and the European Union (EU). The vessel had repeatedly switched between the flags of Madagascar, the Marshall Islands, and Panama. This marks the 4th Russian-linked vessel intercepted by France since 9/2025.

A fifth vessel, named Deliver, was intercepted off the coast of Sicily last month. This vessel is currently still being held in southeast France.

"Shadow fleet" is a Western term referring to cargo vessels that are believed to be used by Russia to circumvent sanctions, managed through a network of shell companies to conceal ownership.

The Tagor oil tanker in a photo taken from a French helicopter on 31/5. Photo: *French Navy*

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on 1/6 that Russia considers Paris's actions concerning the Tagor "illegal". "These actions are nothing short of piracy", Peskov said. "We completely disagree with the assertion that France's actions comply with international law".

Nguyen Tien (According to AFP, AP, Reuters)