France intercepts another 'shadow fleet' tanker linked to Russian oil
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- According to the vessel tracker MarineTraffic, the 252-meter-long tanker was sailing under the flag of Madagascar.
- France and Britain have both vowed to obstruct such vessels as part of a European strategy to combat the oil revenues that help fund Russia's war efforts in Ukraine.
- On Monday, the Tagor was steaming under naval escort towards an anchorage off northwestern France, according to the Maritime prefecture.
On June 1, 2026, French commandos successfully intercepted the tanker Tagor, which is linked to Russian oil, during a naval operation in international waters. The operation took place 400 miles west of Brittany, with French President Emmanuel Macron sharing a video of commandos rappelling from helicopters onto the vessel.
The Tagor had departed from Russia's Arctic port of Murmansk and was suspected of flying under a false flag, raising concerns about its compliance with international sanctions. Macron emphasized the importance of obstructing such vessels, stating that it is unacceptable for ships to circumvent sanctions that finance Russia's ongoing war efforts in Ukraine.
This interception aligns with a broader European strategy, supported by Britain, aimed at curbing oil revenues that bolster Russia's military actions. The Tagor, measuring 252 meters in length, was sailing under the flag of Madagascar at the time of its interception and is now under naval escort towards an anchorage off northwestern France.
This operation underscores the ongoing commitment of France and its allies to enforce sanctions against Russia amid the prolonged conflict in Ukraine.
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