French Navy Intercepts Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Tanker in Mediterranean

The French Navy boarded and seized a Russian-linked oil tanker in the Mediterranean on Thursday, targeting Moscow’s sanction-evading “shadow fleet,” French President Emmanuel Macron announced in a statement.

The action was reportedly aided by UK intelligence per The Independent.

“This morning, the French Navy boarded an oil tanker coming from Russia, subject to international sanctions and suspected of flying a false flag,” Macron posted on X. “The operation was conducted on the high seas in the Mediterranean, with the support of several of our allies. It was carried out in strict compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.”

The vessel, identified as the Grinch in reports, is now under escort for further inspections and a judicial probe. Macron emphasized enforcement against evasion tactics: “We will let nothing pass… The activities of the ‘shadow fleet’ contribute to financing the war of aggression against Ukraine.”