Captain of suspected Russian shadow tanker in French custody

The French navy seized the tanker "Grinch" in the Mediterranean Sea on Thursday, suspecting it of being part of Russia's shadow fleet and violating international sanctions. The tanker, which had departed from Murmansk, Russia, was allegedly flying a false flag and is now moored near Marseille. The Indian captain of the vessel has been taken into custody, while the remaining Indian crew members are being held on board. The investigation aims to verify the validity of the flag used by the tanker, reportedly a Comoros Islands flag. President Macron stated that shadow fleets help finance Russia's war in Ukraine, emphasizing France's commitment to enforcing sanctions. This seizure follows similar actions by France and other Western nations targeting tankers suspected of circumventing sanctions on Russian energy.

French authorities have taken the Indian captain of the tanker "Grinch" into custody for failing to fly a flag. The vessel, suspected of being part of Russia's "shadow fleet" used to circumvent oil sanctions, was seized by the French navy in the Mediterranean Sea on Thursday and is currently moored near Marseille. The remaining Indian crew members are being held on board. The "Grinch" is suspected of transporting Russian oil in violation of Western sanctions related to the invasion of Ukraine. The vessel was escorted to the Gulf of Fos in southern France on Saturday and is being guarded by the French navy and gendarmerie patrol boats.

France seized an oil tanker, named the Grinch, in the Mediterranean Sea on Thursday, suspected of being part of Russia's "shadow fleet" evading Western sanctions. The French navy, with support from allies like the UK, intercepted the vessel traveling from Murmansk, Russia, and flying a Comoros flag between Spain and Morocco. Authorities suspect the tanker was using a false flag and violating international sanctions imposed due to Russia's war in Ukraine. The "shadow fleet" is used to secretly transport Russian oil to circumvent sanctions. The UK provided tracking and monitoring support, while Ukraine's President Zelensky welcomed the seizure and suggested confiscating the oil. Russia's embassy in Paris stated they were not informed of the seizure.

The French navy intercepted a Russian tanker, the Grinch, in the Mediterranean Sea on Thursday, suspected of being part of Russia's "shadow fleet" used to circumvent oil sanctions. The operation, supported by allied nations, occurred between Spain and Morocco. Authorities boarded the tanker and discovered irregularities with its flag, leading to its diversion for further inspection. The EU has imposed multiple sanctions packages against Russia since the invasion of Ukraine, but Russia continues to export oil using this shadow fleet of unregulated tankers. The intercepted tanker was sailing from Murmansk, Russia, reportedly under a Comoros flag. The Russian embassy is seeking information about potential Russian citizens among the crew.

In January 2026, the French Navy seized an oil tanker in the Mediterranean Sea, between Spain and Morocco, suspected of belonging to Russia's "shadow fleet." French President Emmanuel Macron stated the vessel, named "Grinch," was coming from Russia, subject to international sanctions, and suspected of flying a false flag. The operation, supported by allies, was conducted in compliance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The tanker was diverted, and an investigation has been launched. This interception comes amid EU sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, with Russia continuing to sell oil via shadow fleets to evade these restrictions.

A Russian-linked oil tanker, the "Grinch," suspected of violating sanctions related to the war in Ukraine, was intercepted by French naval forces in the western Mediterranean on Thursday. The tanker, sailing under a Comoros flag, departed from Murmansk, Russia, in early January. It is believed to be part of Russia's "shadow fleet" used to circumvent international oil sanctions. The French navy, supported by other countries including Britain, diverted the ship to the port of Marseille-Fos for further investigation. French prosecutors are investigating the case, with the ship expected to arrive on Saturday morning. The "Grinch" or a vessel with the same registration number is already under sanctions by the UK, US, and EU.

The French navy intercepted a Russian oil tanker, the Grinch, in the Mediterranean Sea as part of an escalating effort by the U.S. and its allies to enforce sanctions against Russia. The interception, which occurred between Spain and Morocco, involved French forces boarding and searching the tanker, suspected of being part of Russia's "shadow fleet" used to evade oil export restrictions. The Grinch, sailing from Murmansk under the Comoros flag, was diverted for further checks due to doubts about its flag's legitimacy. This action follows similar seizures by U.S. forces and reflects a growing crackdown on Russian-linked vessels attempting to circumvent Western sanctions imposed since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The tanker is being escorted to an anchorage for further verification.