France Intercepts Russian 'Shadow Fleet' Oil Tanker in Mediterranean

Tue Feb 03 2026 22:00:27 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The French navy, with assistance from allies, has seized an oil tanker believed to be part of Russia's covert operations to bypass international sanctions amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

In a significant action against Russia's 'shadow fleet', France has seized an oil tanker named 'Grinch' in the Mediterranean, suspected of flying a false flag. The French navy, supported by the UK, boarded the vessel en route from Murmansk, Russia. This operation is part of broader efforts by Western nations to enforce sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian President Zelensky praised the move, highlighting its impact on financing Russia's military actions.

France says it has seized an oil tanker in the Mediterranean suspected of being part of Russia's sanction-busting shadow fleet.

French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the tanker, named the Grinch, was subject to international sanctions and suspected of flying a false flag.

The French navy, with assistance from allies including the UK, boarded the vessel on Thursday morning between Spain and Morocco. A search of the vessel confirmed suspicions regarding the legitimacy of its flagged registration.

Russia's embassy in Paris stated that it had not been informed of the seizure.

Moscow's shadow fleet is a covert network of tankers used to evade Western sanctions on Russian oil exports by utilizing aging vessels linked to obscure ownership.

The Grinch was traveling from Murmansk, Russia, when it was intercepted, reportedly flying a Comoros flag according to ship tracking websites.

Macron announced the seizure via social media, reaffirming France's commitment to upholding international law and enforcing sanctions effectively. He emphasized that the activities of the shadow fleet contribute significantly to funding Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

UK Defence Secretary John Healy confirmed that the UK navy provided tracking and monitoring support, with HMS Dagger observing the tanker through the Straits of Gibraltar. He asserted the collective effort to cut off funding sources that support Putin's invasion.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky endorsed the seizure, describing it as essential to prevent Russian oil from funding the war. He urged Europe to act decisively in its security strategy.

This operation follows broader sanctions imposed by Western countries on Russian energy following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Earlier this January, British forces supported a US operation to intercept a Russian-flagged tanker accused of breaching sanctions.

The situation underscores the increasing frequency of shadow fleets utilized by countries like Venezuela, Iran, and Russia to bypass international sanctions, with financial intelligence suggesting that a fifth of global oil tankers are involved in such smuggling efforts.