French Troops Intervene on Oil Tanker Linked to Russian Sanctions Evasion

Fri Oct 03 2025 01:15:06 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

French military forces have boarded the Boracay, an oil tanker allegedly part of Russia's shadow fleet used to dodge international sanctions. The situation raises questions about maritime law and regional security amid ongoing tensions surrounding the war in Ukraine.

French soldiers boarded the Boracay, an oil tanker identified as part of Russia's shadow fleet aiming to circumvent sanctions linked to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The vessel, which had recently been in Russian waters, came to attention following drone disruptions near Denmark. French President Macron stated the crew committed serious offenses. Russian officials denied any knowledge of the ship, highlighting rising international tensions over maritime activities.

French soldiers have boarded an oil tanker believed to be part of Russia's 'shadow fleet', used to evade sanctions imposed due to the war in Ukraine.

The Boracay left Russia last month and was off the coast of Denmark when unidentified drones prompted a temporary closure of several airports last week. It has been anchored off western France for a few days.

President Emmanuel Macron stated that the crew had committed 'serious offences' at an EU leaders' summit in Copenhagen but did not elaborate further.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied that Russia had any knowledge of the vessel.

Reports indicate that French military personnel boarded the vessel on Saturday. Macron refrained from confirming whether the ship was involved with drone flights that disrupted Denmark recently.

Prosecutors in Brest have initiated an investigation regarding two counts: a refusal to comply with an order to stop and failing to provide justification for the ship's nationality.

In response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, many Western countries imposed sanctions on Russian energy, limiting imports and capping oil prices. To circumvent these sanctions, Russia has reportedly built up a 'shadow fleet' of tankers with obscured ownership and movements.

Russia's shadow fleet is estimated to consist of between 600 and 1,000 ships registered in various countries to facilitate the export of its petroleum. This specific tanker is also known as Pushpa and Kiwala, registered under the flag of Benin but listed under UK and EU sanctions related to Russia.

Earlier this year, Estonian authorities detained the Boracay for sailing without a valid flag. After departing the Russian port of Primorsk, it travelled through the Baltic Sea, around Denmark, and into the North Sea, aiming to reach India by October 20.

EU leaders convened in Copenhagen under increasing pressure to bolster European defense amidst threats of Russian incursions into EU airspace and targeted drone attacks on Danish infrastructure.

Despite the lack of direct evidence linking these drone activities to Russia, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen emphasized the need for a strong European response, identifying Russia as the principal threat.