France has stopped a restricted oil vessel in the Atlantic Ocean while intensifying actions against Russia's "underground fleet." Military sources stated that the vessel was operating with an incorrect identification.
On Monday, France stated that its navy had intercepted and redirected an embargoed oil vessel associated with Russia in the Atlantic Ocean as part of a larger effort to enforce sanctions. sanctions evasion .
Several of these vessels have been intercepted by France in the past few months. Although certain ones were permitted to proceed following payment of penalties, Western governments have committed themselves to... tighter enforcement As the conflict in Ukraine continues.
What was the reason for France boarding the Russian vessel?
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the ship, known as the Tagor, was stopped on Sunday within international waters.
"The action occurred in the Atlantic Ocean, on international waters, backed by multiple allies, such as the United Kingdom, while adhering strictly to maritime laws," Macron stated.
"Ships should not bypass international sanctions, breach maritime laws, or support the war that Russia has been conducting against Ukraine for over four years," he further stated.
The French Maritime Authority for the Atlantic stated that an inspection crew boarded the vessel, which was en route from Murmansk flying the Malagasy flag, over 400 nautical miles (740 kilometers) west of Brittany.
"The action focused on verifying the nationality of a ship accused of using a fraudulent flag. Once the inspection crew went aboard the vessel, document checks supported concerns about the legitimacy of the displayed flag. Following international regulations and upon the recommendation of the district attorney, the ship was redirected," it stated.
Enhanced initiative to prevent Russian-connected oil vessels
The initiative demonstrates increasing actions taken by France and its partners to hinder Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" — a system of ships charged with circumventing restrictions via methods like changing flags or employing false documentation.
Thousands of ships associated with the fleet are currently subject to European Union restrictions, yet numerous ones still carry out operations, underscoring the difficulties involved in monitoring sea traffic corridors.
Both France and Britain have committed to preventing Russian vessels from circumventing sanctions as they travel through their territorial waters. In March, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that he had authorized the British armed forces to inspect ships believed to be associated with the shadow fleet.
Edited by: Natalie Muller
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Writer: Richard Connor (with AFP, Reuters)