French President Emmanuel Macron has condemned the practice of circumventing international sanctions, highlighting the interception of a Russian-origin oil tanker. The French Navy, with support from the United Kingdom, boarded the tanker named Tagor in the Atlantic Ocean. This action was in accordance with the law of the sea.

The Maritime Prefecture of the Atlantic confirmed that the ship was intercepted over 400 nautical miles west of Brittany. The vessel was suspected of flying a false flag, and an inspection confirmed this suspicion. Consequently, the vessel was rerouted following international law and the public prosecutor’s request.

There has been no response from Moscow regarding the interception. Earlier, in January, French authorities, using UK intelligence, intercepted another Russian-origin ship, the Grinch, in the Mediterranean Sea. This ship was similarly suspected of operating under a false flag.

Both France and the UK have pledged to intercept ships linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet.” These vessels are accused of carrying sanctioned Russian oil or goods to sell on the black market, thus financing Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine. In March, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer authorized the UK military to board such ships.

Despite these efforts, shipping data indicates that several sanctioned Russian-linked ships continue to navigate through UK waters.