French Navy Intercepts Oil Tanker Linked to Russian Shadow Fleet

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French Navy Intercepts Oil Tanker Linked to Russian Shadow Fleet

1 month ago

News sources:

LEMONDE

REUTERS

AFRICANEWS

ALJAZEERA

French Navy Intercepts Oil Tanker Linked to Russian Shadow Fleet

Credited from: ALJAZEERA

French navy intercepts Grinch oil tanker suspected of violating sanctions.
Tanker believed to be part of Russia's shadow fleet evading sanctions.
The operation involved international support, including from the UK navy.

On January 23, the French navy intercepted the oil tanker Grinch in the Mediterranean Sea, which is suspected of shipping Russian oil in violation of international sanctions. The vessel had departed from Murmansk, Russia, and was redirected to Marseille-Fos for further investigation, as French prosecutors began looking into its alleged failure to confirm its nationality, according to Le Monde and Reuters.

The operation was reportedly backed by intelligence from the United Kingdom, underscoring international cooperation in targeting vessels linked to Russia's shadow fleet. This fleet is believed to consist of over 400 aging vessels that operate under flags from non-sanctioning countries, facilitating the evasion of sanctions implemented due to the war in Ukraine, according to Africa News and Al Jazeera.

During the seizure, the Grinch was operating under a Comoros flag, and the French navy's swift actions included a helicopter descent onto the deck of the ship. The French maritime police confirmed this operation took place in the western Mediterranean, highlighting the urgent need to address ongoing sanctions violations by Russia, as many European nations continue to support these enforcement efforts, according to Reuters and Africa News.