France has intercepted a sanctioned Russian oil tanker as Western allies tighten enforcement of sanctions on Moscow.
French authorities seized the oil tanker Tagor in the Atlantic Ocean on Sunday, with support from the United Kingdom, according to French President Emmanuel Macron. The vessel is suspected of being part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” used to bypass international sanctions on oil exports.
Macron said the tanker was detained after maritime authorities discovered it was allegedly operating under a false flag. A British military helicopter supported the operation, which took place in international waters west of Brittany.
The seizure marks France’s fourth operation against suspected shadow fleet vessels since September 2025. Russia condemned the move, calling it illegal and accusing France of actions “bordering on international piracy.”
The operation underscores growing efforts by Western allies to disrupt Russia’s sanctions-evasion network and cut funding linked to the war in Ukraine.
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