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France announced yesterday the detention of a Russia-linked oil tanker, the Tagor, in the Atlantic Ocean, escalating efforts to combat Moscow's "shadow fleet" used to circumvent Western sanctions. The Kremlin reacted strongly, labeling the seizure as "international piracy."

The Tagor was intercepted on Sunday morning in international waters with assistance from Britain and other partners after its Russian captain reportedly refused to comply with orders. French authorities stated the vessel was suspected of carrying Russian or Iranian oil, despite international sanctions. The ship was found to be falsely flying a Cameroonian flag and was en route to Limbe, Cameroon. Shadow fleet vessels commonly alter their flags or use invalid registrations to evade tracking.

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We consider these acts illegal. They border on international piracy.

President Emmanuel Macron shared a video of the operation, depicting commandos rappelling from a helicopter onto the ship. "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 four years," Macron stated on X. This marks the fourth such interception by France since September, highlighting a concerted effort to disrupt Russia's methods of exporting fossil fuels and funding its ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Russia, through its spokesman Dmitry Peskov, maintained that it is taking measures to ensure the safety of its cargo.

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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 four years.