The operation is the first time the French Navy has boarded a Russian shadow fleet tanker in the Indian Ocean. The vessel was identified as part of the ghost fleet on June 25, 2024, and has previously operated under the names Kaliningrad and NS Captain. President Emmanuel Macron stated France is determined to enforce maritime law against the shadow fleet wherever it operates, as EU leaders prepare to discuss a coordinated enforcement strategy against such vessels.
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
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France Seizes First Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker in Indian Ocean
Geopolitics7 days ago
The Russian Embassy in Paris denounced the interception of the DF Peak oil tanker on Oct. 12 as a blatant violation of international law and an act of piracy. The French Navy boarded the vessel more than 450 nautical miles south of Réunion after detecting that its claimed Benin flag was fraudulent. The tanker, which is affiliated with Sovcomflot and sanctioned by the US, EU, UK, Canada, and Switzerland, was diverted under naval escort at the request of the public prosecutor for further investigation.
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