France Intercepts Russian 'Shadow Fleet' Oil Tanker in Mediterranean Waters

Mon Feb 02 2026 15:27:19 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a coordinated operation, France has seized an oil tanker suspected of evading international sanctions, highlighting ongoing challenges with Russia's shadow fleet amidst the Ukraine conflict.

French authorities have successfully intercepted the oil tanker 'Grinch' in the Mediterranean, believed to be part of Russia's covert network for dodging sanctions. The operation, aided by allied forces, aims to curb funding for Russia's military efforts in Ukraine. The vessel, previously flagged under Comoros, was reportedly recognized for attempting to evade international regulations. This action comes amidst heightened scrutiny of shadow fleets used by several nations to bypass oil trade restrictions.

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.

In a joint operation with allies including the UK, the French navy boarded the vessel on Thursday morning between Spain and Morocco. French maritime authorities confirmed that a search revealed irregularities regarding the vessel's flag.

Russia's embassy in Paris has claimed it was not informed of the seizure.

Moscow's so-called shadow fleet represents a network of tankers used to circumvent Western sanctions on Russian oil by employing aged vessels obscured in ownership and insurance.

The Grinch was traveling from the Arctic port of Murmansk when intercepted, having been flagged under the Comoros, according to maritime tracking sites.

Macron announced the seizure on social media, asserting: We are determined to uphold international law and to ensure the effective enforcement of sanctions. The activities of the 'shadow fleet' contribute to financing the war of aggression against Ukraine.

UK Defence Secretary John Healy remarked that the UK navy provided vital tracking and monitoring support during the operation, with HMS Dagger overseeing the tanker through the Straits of Gibraltar. He emphasized a collective escalation against shadow vessels to constrict funds fueling Russia's invasion.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the seizure, declaring it is crucial to ensure that Russian oil no longer supports its military actions. He suggested that confiscated oil from these vessels should be sold.

With sanctions against Russian energy intensifying following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, shadow fleets have become increasingly common. An estimated one in five oil tankers worldwide is believed to be engaged in smuggling operations involving sanctioned countries like Venezuela and Iran.

The West's scrutiny on these sanctions-busting networks continues, with previous operations including a UK-supported seizure of a Russian tanker in the Atlantic earlier this month.