Paris (TDI): France has seized a Russian-linked oil tanker accused of helping Moscow evade international sanctions, carrying out the operation with support from the United Kingdom, French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Sunday.
The vessel, identified as the Tagor, was intercepted in the Atlantic Ocean approximately 400 nautical miles west of Brittany. French maritime authorities said the tanker was operating under a false flag at the time of its detention.
In a statement posted on social media, Macron said France and its partners would not tolerate attempts to bypass international sanctions or activities that contribute to financing Russia’s war in Ukraine.
French naval personnel boarded the tanker during an operation conducted in international waters. According to the UK Ministry of Defense, a British military helicopter deployed from HMS Somerset assisted by tracking and monitoring the vessel throughout the mission.
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The Kremlin strongly condemned the seizure, describing it as unlawful and accusing Western countries of engaging in actions that approached “international piracy.” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia was taking steps to protect its cargo and commercial interests.
Since the launch of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Western governments have accused Moscow of relying on a so-called “shadow fleet” of tankers with opaque ownership structures and questionable registration practices to circumvent sanctions imposed on its energy exports.
French authorities said the Tagor is the fourth suspected shadow-fleet vessel boarded by France since September 2025. Officials argue that such ships not only undermine sanctions but also pose significant environmental and maritime safety risks due to their failure to comply with international navigation standards.
A video released by the French presidency appeared to show armed naval officers descending onto the tanker from a helicopter during the operation. The footage has not been independently verified.
France has recently adopted a tougher stance toward vessels suspected of sanction evasion. While authorities previously allowed some ships to continue operating after paying fines, they now say repeat offenders will face stronger enforcement measures.
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The operation comes amid broader efforts by European allies to tighten pressure on Russia’s oil exports. Earlier this year, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer authorized UK forces to board sanctioned Russian vessels when necessary.
Despite those measures, analysts say a large number of suspected shadow-fleet ships continue to transit European waters, highlighting the challenges involved in enforcing sanctions across major international shipping routes.
