France Seizes Russian-Linked Oil Tanker in International Waters Over Alleged Sanctions Violations

French naval commandos boarded the oil tanker Tagor on Sunday morning in international waters more than 400 nautical miles west of Brittany. Heavily armed troops rappelled from a military helicopter onto the 252-metre vessel, which is registered under Madagascar's flag.

The operation received aerial intelligence and surveillance support from the United Kingdom, though no Royal Navy warships took part.

An inspection team confirmed irregularities with the tanker's documentation, according to France's Atlantic maritime prefecture. French authorities had suspected the vessel of flying false colours. The Tagor had departed Murmansk and was last tracked off Norway's northern coastline before interception.

The vessel is affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC, a company that operates 28 tankers and was placed on the UK sanctions list in February. President Emmanuel Macron announced the seizure on Monday and posted video of the boarding on X. He stated that the Tagor is subject to sanctions imposed by the European Union, United Kingdom and United States.

Macron said it is unacceptable for ships to circumvent international sanctions, violate the law of the sea, and fund the war that Russia has been waging against Ukraine for more than four years. Macron said the operation was carried out in strict compliance with the law of the sea with support from several partners, including the United Kingdom.

The Tagor is now under French orders to proceed to the mainland.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the boarding illegal and bordering on international piracy. He stated that Moscow disagrees the action complied with international law and said Russia would implement measures to protect its shipping cargo. The Russian embassy in Paris confirmed the captain is believed to be a Russian national and requested details on any other Russian crew members aboard.

According to TASS, Moscow received no advance notification of France's intention to board the vessel.