• Belgium's special forces seized a suspected Russian tanker in the North Sea.
• The operation, conducted with French assistance, targeted the 'shadow fleet' used by Russia.
• The intercepted tanker, named Ethera, was reportedly sailing under a false flag.
• Belgium's government confirmed the ship is on the EU sanctions list.
• Ukrainian officials welcomed the seizure as a vital step against Russian aggression.

Belgium's special forces boarded and seized an oil tanker from the "shadow fleet" Russia uses to circumvent Western sanctions over the war in Ukraine during an overnight operation in the North Sea. Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot expressed gratitude towards the forces for their "exceptional professionalism and courage" in what represents a significant enforcement of sanctions, according to Le Monde and Africanews.

The Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken indicated that the tanker, identified as the "Ethera," is being escorted to the port of Zeebrugge. It had been suspected of sailing under a false flag as it was flying the flag of Guinea, according to the Belgian federal prosecutor's office, which has since launched a criminal investigation. They discovered that the documents on board were potentially fraudulent, indicating non-compliance with international regulations, as noted by South China Morning Post and Africanews.

French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that French naval forces provided aerial support for the operation, calling it a "major blow" to Russia's shadow fleet operations. This action aligns with the broader strategy of the European Union, which has blacklisted hundreds of vessels used by Russia to circumvent restrictions intended to limit its crude exports, emphasizing that "sanctions only matter if they are enforced," stated Prévot, according to Le Monde and South China Morning Post.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga praised the seizure, describing it as a "resolute and justified action” to restrict Russia's ability to finance its military actions against Ukraine. He urged other nations to emulate Belgium's example in tackling the shadow fleet, indicating a potential for international solidarity against such operations, according to South China Morning Post and Africanews.