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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Conflict & Security

French navy intercepts Russia-linked oil tanker

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The French navy intercepted a suspected Russian oil tanker, the Tagor, in the Atlantic Ocean, detaining it for violating sanctions.
  • The tanker was falsely flying a Cameroonian flag and was en route from Murmansk, Russia, to Limbe, Cameroon.
  • This seizure is part of France's effort to combat Russia's "shadow fleet" and enforce international sanctions related to the war in Ukraine.

France's navy detained a suspected Russian oil tanker in international waters over the weekend, a move aimed at disrupting Moscow's "shadow fleet" that allegedly circumvents sanctions. The vessel, identified as the Tagor, was intercepted on Sunday morning with assistance from Britain and other partners.

It is unacceptable for ships to circumvent international sanctions, violate the law of the sea, and fund the war that Russia has been waging against Ukraine for more than 4 years.

— Emmanuel MacronPresident Macron condemning the tanker's actions and their connection to the war in Ukraine.

President Emmanuel Macron stated that the tanker was traveling from Murmansk, Russia, and was falsely flying a Cameroonian flag. French authorities reported it was heading towards Limbe, Cameroon. "It is unacceptable for ships to circumvent international sanctions, violate the law of the sea, and fund the war that Russia has been waging against Ukraine for more than 4 years," Macron declared, sharing a video of the operation.

The Atlantic maritime prefecture confirmed that the interception occurred over 400 nautical miles west of Brittany. An examination of the ship's documents raised doubts about the legitimacy of its flag. The tanker, carrying 23 crew members, is being escorted by the French navy for further checks. "It is a vessel that was known and tracked," said Guillaume Le Rasle, a spokesman for the prefecture, noting the ship is under EU and US sanctions and has a history of changing flags.

These ships, which fail to comply with the most basic rules of maritime navigation, also pose a threat to the environment and to everyone’s safety.

— Emmanuel MacronPresident Macron highlighting the broader risks posed by such vessels.

This incident is the latest in France's campaign against the "shadow fleet," which uses tactics like flag-hopping to evade tracking and sanctions. Since September, French forces have boarded three other similar vessels, imposing fines on their owners. Previous seizures include the Boracay, the Grinch, and the Deyna, highlighting France's commitment to enforcing sanctions against Russia's maritime activities.

It is a vessel that was known and tracked.

— Guillaume Le RasleSpokesman for the Atlantic maritime prefecture, confirming the tanker's history and sanctions status.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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