Detained tanker of the Russian “shadow fleet” delivered to the shores of France
2.06.2026 - 15:20
A ship suspected of flying a false Cameroonian flag has been escorted to Finistère.
A Russian oil tanker seized by France has arrived in the Gulf of Douarnenez in Finistère, Sud Ouest reports.
The vessel, which is subject to European sanctions, was detained and is being held by authorities as part of an investigation into alleged offences relating to flying a false flag and the crew’s refusal to obey orders.
The Kremlin, through its spokesman Dmitry Peskov, condemned the operation as “bordering on international piracy.” The captain, a Russian national, repeatedly refused to obey orders from the French military, making the seizure of the vessel “necessary,” according to Brest prosecutor Stephane Kellenberger, who was due to give an update on the ongoing legal proceedings on Wednesday, June 3.
“It is unacceptable that vessels circumvent international sanctions, violate maritime law and finance the war that Russia has been waging against Ukraine for over four years,” President Emmanuel Macron said on June 1, reaffirming France’s “constant and complete” determination to combat Russia’s “shadow fleet.”
USM previously reported that France and the UK had detained a shadowy tanker sailing from Murmansk.
