French Authorities Intercept Russian-Linked ‘Shadow Fleet’ Tanker, Macron Condemns “Serious Wrongdoings”
French Authorities Intercept Russian-Linked ‘Shadow Fleet’ Tanker, Macron Condemns “Serious Wrongdoings”
French President Emmanuel Macron announced Wednesday that an oil tanker immobilized off the French Atlantic coast, identified as linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet,” has committed “very serious wrongdoings.” The vessel, suspected of evading Western sanctions imposed over Moscow’s war in Ukraine, is currently under judicial investigation.
French naval forces forcibly boarded the ship, known as “Pushpa” or “Boracay” and sailing under the flag of Benin, a few days ago at the request of prosecutors. The prosecutor’s office in Brest has opened an investigation into the crew’s “refusal to cooperate” and “failure to justify the nationality of the vessel.” The tanker, which left the Russian oil terminal in Primorsk on September 20 and has been off the coast of Saint-Nazaire since Sunday, was ordered to remain in place pending further inquiry. Naval forces again boarded the ship on Wednesday to provide essential supplies to the crew.
Macron, speaking on the sidelines of an EU summit, emphasized the importance of this intervention, stating, “I think it’s a good thing that this work has been done and that we’ve been able to stop it.” He highlighted that the incident underscores the ongoing challenge posed by the “notorious shadow fleet,” which he estimates finances approximately 40% of Russia’s war effort by helping exporters circumvent price caps. The shadow fleet comprises aging tankers acquired by opaque entities, often sailing under flags from non-sanctioning countries to facilitate illicit oil trade.
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