Ask Onix
France intercepts sanctioned Russian oil tanker
French forces boarded the Tagor, a tanker suspected of being part of Russia's shadow fleet, in the Atlantic Ocean on Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron announced. The operation, conducted with British assistance, targeted a vessel accused of evading international sanctions.
Operation details
The Tagor was detained approximately 400 nautical miles west of Brittany after maritime authorities identified it as sailing under a false flag. A British helicopter from HMS Somerset provided surveillance and monitoring during the boarding, according to the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Footage shared by Macron showed armed naval officers descending onto the tanker via helicopter. The BBC has not independently verified the video.
International reactions
Macron condemned the use of shadow fleets to bypass sanctions, stating on X that such actions are "unacceptable" and fund Russia's war in Ukraine. He emphasized that the operation adhered to international maritime law.
"It is unacceptable for ships to circumvent international sanctions, violate the law of the sea, and fund the war that Russia has been waging against Ukraine."
Emmanuel Macron, French President
The Kremlin denounced the seizure as "illegal" and "bordering on international piracy." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia was taking steps to protect its cargo.
Shadow fleet crackdown
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Moscow has relied on a shadow fleet of tankers with opaque ownership to continue oil exports despite sanctions. This marks the fourth such vessel France has intercepted since September 2025.
An MoD spokesperson stated that the UK is intensifying efforts to disrupt these operations, citing environmental and safety risks posed by the vessels, which often ignore maritime regulations.
"These vessels, which fail to adhere to the most basic rules of maritime navigation, also pose a threat to the environment and to everyone's safety."
UK Ministry of Defence spokesperson
UK's role and challenges
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer authorized military boardings of sanctioned Russian ships in March. However, BBC Verify analysis indicates that nearly 200 shadow fleet vessels entered UK waters by mid-May, despite the threat of interception.
The MoD described its actions as "disrupting and deterring" shadow fleet activity but did not provide specific details on operations.
Policy shift
France previously allowed sanctioned ships to continue operating after owners paid fines but has since adopted a stricter stance. Macron's administration now aims to block these vessels entirely, aligning with broader Western efforts to cut off funding for Russia's war effort.
