French Navy Intercepts Two Tankers Suspected of Sanctions Violations in Late January
In two separate operations spanning the Mediterranean and Atlantic, French naval forces intercepted oil tankers suspected of using false flags to circumvent international sanctions on Russian oil exports.
First Interception: The Grinch
On Thursday morning, the French navy boarded the oil tanker Grinch in the Mediterranean Sea, between Spain and Morocco. According to French President Emmanuel Macron, the vessel was "subject to international sanctions and suspected of flying a false flag." Ship tracking data indicated the Grinch was flying a flag from the Comoros Islands.
The tanker was traveling from the Arctic port of Murmansk, Russia. French maritime authorities reported that a search of the vessel confirmed "doubts as to the regularity of the flag." The United Kingdom provided support for the operation, with UK Defence Secretary John Healey confirming that HMS Dagger monitored the tanker near the Straits of Gibraltar.
The 58-year-old Indian captain of the Grinch was taken into custody by French authorities, with the Marseille prosecutor's office confirming the detention. The remainder of the Indian crew reportedly remains on board. The vessel is now moored under guard near Marseille, France. An investigation has been initiated focusing on verifying the tanker's flag validity.
Russia's embassy in Paris stated it was not informed of the seizure.
Second Interception: The Tagor
On Sunday, the French navy boarded and diverted the oil tanker Tagor in international waters in the Atlantic Ocean. The vessel was sailing under a Madagascar flag, which French authorities determined to be irregular. After boarding, document examination confirmed the irregularity. The ship was diverted at the request of the public prosecutor.
President Macron stated that several partners, including the United Kingdom, supported this operation.
Russian spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the Tagor interception "illegal, bordering on international piracy." Russia stated it is taking measures to ensure the safety of its cargo.
Broader Context
Both operations are part of Western efforts to disrupt what is described as Russia's "shadow fleet" — a network of tankers reportedly used to evade sanctions on Russian oil exports through practices including obscure ownership, flag-hopping, and invalid registrations. Many Western nations imposed sanctions on Russian energy following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Hundreds of vessels are under EU sanctions, with France and Britain pledging to stop sanctioned Russian ships passing through their waters.
In January, British forces supported a US operation to seize a Russian-flagged tanker in the Atlantic for alleged sanctions violations related to oil transport for Venezuela and Russia.
International Reactions
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the actions, stating they demonstrated the "resolve needed to ensure that Russian oil no longer finances Russia's war." He suggested that apprehended vessels should be confiscated and their oil sold.