• French navy boarded an oil tanker from Russia, suspected of violating international sanctions.
• The operation was conducted in cooperation with allied navies in the Mediterranean.
• The intercepted vessel, named "Grinch," raised suspicions of flying a false flag.
• French President Macron emphasized the need to uphold international law against sanction busters.
• Ukrainian President Zelensky praised the action, calling for stronger measures against Russian oil shipments.

Amid escalating tensions due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the French navy intercepted an oil tanker in the Mediterranean, reportedly linked to Russia's sanction-evading "shadow fleet." French President Emmanuel Macron disclosed that the tanker, named "Grinch," was "subject to international sanctions and suspected of flying a false flag." The operation was executed on the high seas with the support of allied forces, reaffirming France's position against sanction violations, according to Indiatimes and Le Monde.

The interception of the Grinch occurred between Spain and Morocco, marking a significant effort to counteract Russia's oil exports, which have continued despite sanctions. Macron stated that this action "will not tolerate any violation" and emphasized that such activities help finance the war against Ukraine. The vessel was suspected of operating under a false flag while sailing from Murmansk, Russia, according to Reuters and AA.

After boarding the vessel, French maritime authorities confirmed irregularities with its documentation, further insinuating its relation to illegal oil trading. Macron noted that an investigation had been initiated and that the vessel had been diverted for further scrutiny. This move aligns with broader sanctions imposed by the EU, amidst persistent challenges of Russia adapting to circumvent these restrictions, as highlighted by Al Jazeera and BBC.

Following the operation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commended France's decisive actions, stating it represented "exactly the kind of resolve needed" to prevent Russian oil from funding its military activities. He urged that confiscating the oil transported by these tankers would be a just response, reinforcing the call against exploiting loopholes in sanctions. The Russian government, however, expressed concern over the lack of notification regarding the seizure, as reported by Indiatimes and Reuters.