France seizes Russian tanker, detains commander for violating EU sanctions

France has detained the Russian commander of the oil tanker Tagor after seizing the vessel in international waters of the Atlantic Ocean. French authorities claim the tanker, crewed by 23 sailors, was flying a false flag to evade European Union sanctions.

The commander faces up to a year in prison and a fine of 150,000 euros for allegedly using a false flag and attempting to evade French authorities. This incident is the fourth time this year that the French navy has intercepted Russian oil tankers suspected of being part of Russia's "shadow fleet," used for oil exports circumventing sanctions.

Russia has denounced the seizure as another act of "piracy" on the high seas. The interception of the Tagor, which had departed from Murmansk and was headed for Limbe, Cameroon, was announced by French President Emmanuel Macron. He stated the operation strictly adhered to maritime law and deemed it "unacceptable" for ships to evade international sanctions, violate maritime rules, and finance Russia's war in Ukraine.

“

unacceptable that some ships try to evade 'international sanctions', violate maritime rules and contribute to financing the war that Russia is waging against Ukraine