UK and France intercept suspected Russian oil tanker in Atlantic, Emmanuel Macron says
Britain and France intercepted a sanctioned Russian oil tanker suspected of flying a false flag in a joint operation in the Atlantic, Emmanuel Macron said.
In a video shared by the French President on Monday morning, the French navy could be seen boarding the ship named Tagor.
He said the operation was carried out in international waters “with the support of many partners, including the UK”.
“Yesterday morning, the French Navy seized a new tanker of Russian origin within the scope of international sanctions: Tagor. Our determination is unwavering and unshakable,” he wrote to X.
“This operation was carried out in the Atlantic, in international waters, with the support of many partners, including the United Kingdom, in strict accordance with maritime law.
“It is unacceptable that the ships circumvent international sanctions, violate maritime law and finance Russia’s war against Ukraine for more than 4 years.
“These ships, which do not comply with the most basic rules of maritime transportation, also pose a threat to the environment and everyone’s safety.”
The Atlantic Maritime Zone, a French authority, said in a separate statement that the French Navy had intercepted an oil tanker 400 nautical miles west of the tip of Brittany.
It was stated that the ship came from Murmansk, Russia and was suspected of flying under a false flag.
“The purpose of this operation was to check the nationality of a ship suspected of flying a false flag. After the inspection team boarded the ship, an examination of the documents confirmed the suspicions of the irregularity of the flag flying. In accordance with international law and at the request of the prosecutor, the ship was diverted.”
Britain and France have vowed to prevent ships from Russia’s sanctioned stay-behind fleet from passing through their waters.
Sir Keir Starmer said earlier this year that Britain’s commandos could board and intercept Moscow’s shadow fleet ships carrying oil through British waters to support its war in Ukraine, but so far none of them have been captured by the British navy.
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