France has intercepted an oil tanker in the Mediterranean that it claims is a key part of Russia's "shadow fleet", a network of vessels designed to evade international sanctions and continue exporting oil despite economic curbs.
French President Emmanuel Macron described the operation as a major success, stating that the vessel was coming from Russia, subject to international sanctions, and suspected of flying a false flag. The tanker, named "Grinch", was seized in an area between Spain and Morocco after being diverted by French naval forces with support from several allies.
Macron said that the interception took place on the high seas in strict compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. He also announced that an investigation had been launched.
This move comes as France has stepped up efforts to curb Russia's oil exports, which have continued despite European sanctions. The European Union has imposed more than a dozen sanctions packages against Russia since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, Moscow continues to sell millions of barrels of oil to countries like China and India at discounted prices.
The interception is believed to be part of a broader effort by Western powers to disrupt Russia's shadow fleet. A report from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air found that more than 100 Russian vessels flew a false flag in the first nine months of last year, transporting about 11 million tonnes of oil valued at 4.7 billion euros.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Macron for intercepting the vessel, calling it "exactly the kind of resolve needed to ensure that Russian oil no longer finances Russia's war". The Russian embassy in France said it was not notified about the interception and is now trying to determine whether there are any Russian citizens among the crew members.
French President Emmanuel Macron described the operation as a major success, stating that the vessel was coming from Russia, subject to international sanctions, and suspected of flying a false flag. The tanker, named "Grinch", was seized in an area between Spain and Morocco after being diverted by French naval forces with support from several allies.
Macron said that the interception took place on the high seas in strict compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. He also announced that an investigation had been launched.
This move comes as France has stepped up efforts to curb Russia's oil exports, which have continued despite European sanctions. The European Union has imposed more than a dozen sanctions packages against Russia since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, Moscow continues to sell millions of barrels of oil to countries like China and India at discounted prices.
The interception is believed to be part of a broader effort by Western powers to disrupt Russia's shadow fleet. A report from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air found that more than 100 Russian vessels flew a false flag in the first nine months of last year, transporting about 11 million tonnes of oil valued at 4.7 billion euros.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Macron for intercepting the vessel, calling it "exactly the kind of resolve needed to ensure that Russian oil no longer finances Russia's war". The Russian embassy in France said it was not notified about the interception and is now trying to determine whether there are any Russian citizens among the crew members.
! I mean, can you even believe that France just intercepted this oil tanker with Russia's "shadow fleet" label on it? It's like a real-life spy movie out here! 
I've been following this situation closely, and I'm like 99% sure the EU has had enough of Russia's sneaky moves. I mean, those sanctions are not working, but France is trying to make up for it. And now Ukraine is thanking Macron for his bravery? It's all so intense! 
What do you guys think about this? Should we be worried about Russia's shadow fleet or just chill? 
! I mean, Macron is literally a hero for taking down Russia's "shadow fleet" 
! It's about time someone takes action against those sneaky Russians trying to evade sanctions and export oil while still causing chaos in Ukraine 
. The fact that it was done with international support and in strict compliance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea is just, like, totally impressive 
! I'm so hyped for Macron's leadership on this one 
!
so like i was reading this news about france interceptin an oil tanker in the mediterranean and i gotta say its kinda interesting 
i mean, we all know how geopolitics can get messy, right? 
france is just tryin to do its part in supportin Ukraine, which is cool 
but then theres also this thing about the eu and china and india buyin oil from russia... it's like, who gets hurt here? 
what's the plan for all these russian vessels flyin under false flags? 
anyway, i guess its good that france took action, but we should be aware of how complex this whole situation is 
. Like, how do they even know? And what's with all the sanctions and international drama? It feels like everyone's just trying to one-up each other on this whole "shadow fleet" thing 
? And what's up with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea? Sounds like something straight out of a law textbook 
. Just saying, I'd love to see some more in-depth analysis from actual experts rather than just politicians spouting off 
.
french president emmanuel macron is really bringing the heat on russia's oil exports! i mean, 11 million tonnes of oil valued at 4.7 billion euros is like whoa 
and to think it was all being smuggled around the world without anyone noticing is wild 
.
.
. it's time for some real change in the oil trade and i'm rooting for france to keep pushing boundaries