"This morning, the French navy approached and inspected an oil tanker originating from Russia, which is subject to international sanctions and suspected of flying a false flag. The operation was conducted in international waters in the Mediterranean, with support from some of our allies," French President Emmanuel Macron announced on 22/1.
According to Macron, the oil tanker departed from Murmansk, northern Russia, and had to be diverted. "We will not let anything slip through. The shadow fleet has provided funding for the conflict in Ukraine," the French president added.
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French helicopters approach an oil tanker in the Mediterranean Sea on 22/1. AFP |
French helicopters approach an oil tanker in the Mediterranean Sea on 22/1. AFP
The French coast guard later stated that its navy seized the oil tanker Grinch in waters between Spain and Morocco. Data from the maritime tracking website Marine Traffic showed the Grinch flying the flag of Comoros, an East African nation.
The Russian Embassy in France stated that Paris had not informed Moscow of the incident. "We are working with the Consulate General in Marseille to determine if there are any Russian citizens among the crew members, in order to provide necessary assistance," the embassy said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed France's move, stating that such actions are "precisely the firmness needed" to halt Russia's oil revenue. "Those ships must be seized. It would be even more logical to confiscate and sell the oil these ships are transporting," he wrote on X.
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Location of the Mediterranean Sea. Free World Maps |
Location of the Mediterranean Sea. Free World Maps
The European Union (EU) has imposed 19 sanction packages against Russia, but Moscow has adapted to most measures and continues to sell millions of barrels of oil to other countries, often at discounted prices.
The "shadow fleet" is a Western term referring to vessels believed to be used by Russia to circumvent sanctions, managed through a network of shell companies to conceal ownership.
Huyen Le (According to Reuters, TASS)
