French Navy Intercepts Russian Oil Tanker in Mediterranean
The French navy has intercepted a Russian oil tanker in the Mediterranean, believed to be part of a network of vessels trying to evade Western sanctions. President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that French forces boarded the tanker, which is under international sanctions.
The vessel, named the Grinch, was reportedly sailing from Murmansk, Russia, under the Comoros flag. On social media, Macron shared that this operation took place in the high seas, backed by several allied nations.
According to French maritime police, the interception occurred between the southern coast of Spain and northern Morocco. The action is part of ongoing efforts by Western countries to disrupt Russia’s oil exports, especially following its invasion of Ukraine.
The French military, along with the U.K., gathered intelligence regarding the tanker, leading to its interception. The Grinch has now been redirected for further inspection.
This incident comes alongside numerous recent interceptions of Russian-linked vessels by U.S. and European authorities. Earlier this month, U.S. forces also seized a sanctioned Russian tanker in the Atlantic.
French maritime officials have indicated that after inspecting the Grinch, they found the vessel’s documents questionable, raising concerns about its flag legitimacy. The tanker is now being escorted for additional verification.
Since the onset of the war in Ukraine, the European Union has imposed multiple rounds of sanctions on Russia. Despite these measures, Russia continues to export substantial amounts of oil, mainly to countries like China and India, often at lower prices.
Reports suggest that hundreds of old tankers, part of a so-called “shadow fleet,” are changing names and flags to avoid detection and sanctions. Maritime experts estimate this shadow fleet includes around 1,400 tankers, many of which are under sanctions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on European nations to take stronger action against the transport of Russian oil, arguing that it funds the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. At a recent forum, he questioned why Europe is unable to stop these tankers while actions are taken elsewhere.
