The French navy has intercepted a sanctioned oil tanker in the Mediterranean in a high-stakes operation working with British intelligence to target Russia’s shadow fleet, France has announced.
France’s navy intercepted the oil tanker in the Mediterranean Sea after it travelled from Russia, officials said.
The ship, called The Grinch, was suspected of operating with a false flag, and was subject to international sanctions, the French President, Emmanuel Macron, said.
French maritime authorities said the French navy was escorting the ship to port for more checks.
“We will not tolerate any violation,” Macron said. “We are determined to uphold international law and to ensure the effective enforcement of sanctions. The activities of the ‘shadow fleet’ contribute to financing the war of aggression against Ukraine.”
An oil tanker and helicopters in the Mediterranean Sea during the operation (Photo: French Defence Ministry/ AFP)He posted a photo showing a French helicopter hovering over a ship. “The operation was conducted on the high seas in the Mediterranean, with the support of several of our allies,” Macron said.
He added that the operation was carried out in strict compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and a judicial investigation had been opened.
The news comes only weeks after the US seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the north Atlantic, in an operation aided by the UK.
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