France seizes suspected Russian Oil tanker in Mediterranean

France says it has seized a Russian-linked oil tanker in the Mediterranean Sea suspected of helping Russia evade international sanctions.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that the naval operation took place on Thursday in international waters between Spain and Morocco. The vessel, named Grinch, was intercepted while sailing from the Russian Arctic port of Murmansk. Officials believe the tanker was operating under a false flag and is subject to international sanctions.

The French navy, with support from allied forces including the United Kingdom, boarded and diverted the tanker for further inspection. Macron said the action was aimed at enforcing sanctions and international law.

The so-called “shadow fleet” refers to a network of tankers that authorities say transport Russian oil despite Western sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Western nations say these operations help fund Moscow’s war effort.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the seizure, saying such actions are needed to prevent Russian oil revenues from financing the war.

The Russian embassy in Paris said it was not informed before the interception and is seeking information about the tanker’s crew. French authorities have opened a judicial investigation.