France seized sanctioned Russian oil tanker with UK help, Macron says

The French navy, with support from the United Kingdom, intercepted the oil tanker Tagor in the Atlantic Ocean on Sunday. French President Emmanuel Macron stated the tanker, which sailed from Murmansk, was attempting to circumvent international sanctions and violate maritime law. French authorities reported the vessel was falsely flying a Cameroonian flag and was heading towards Limbe, Cameroon. The tanker is subject to European Union and United States sanctions. The interception aimed to verify the validity of the ship's flag, and it was found to be nearly empty at the time of boarding.

The French Navy, with UK support, intercepted a sanctioned oil tanker traveling from Russia in the Atlantic Ocean on Sunday. French President Emmanuel Macron announced the boarding of the tanker, named Tagor, stating it violated international sanctions and financed Russia's war in Ukraine. The interception occurred over 400 nautical miles west of France, in international waters, as the vessel departed from Murmansk. French authorities suspect the tanker of operating under a false flag and are escorting it for further inspection. This action is part of a broader effort by nations supporting Ukraine to target Russian oil exports and crack down on a "shadow fleet" used to evade sanctions.

France intercepted a sanctioned Russian oil tanker, the Tagor, in the Atlantic Ocean on Sunday. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the operation received support from allies, including the UK, whose military provided helicopter assistance. Maritime authorities reported the tanker was flying a false flag when detained approximately 400 nautical miles west of Brittany in international waters. Macron emphasized that circumventing international sanctions and violating the law of the sea to fund Russia's war in Ukraine is unacceptable. The Kremlin described the seizure as "illegal" and "bordering on international piracy," with a spokesman stating Russia is taking measures to ensure its cargo's safety. This marks the fourth such boarding by France since September 2025.

The French navy has boarded an oil tanker, identified as the Tagor, in the Atlantic Ocean. French President Emmanuel Macron stated the operation, conducted with support from the United Kingdom, was to prevent ships from circumventing international sanctions and financing Russia's war in Ukraine. The Maritime Prefecture of the Atlantic confirmed the intervention occurred over 400 nautical miles west of Brittany, with the vessel originating from Murmansk, Russia. An inspection revealed irregularities with the ship's flag, leading to its diversion in accordance with international law. France and Britain have pledged to intercept ships linked to Russia's sanctioned "shadow fleet."