Macron announced the detention of a tanker belonging to Russia’s “shadow fleet.”

According to the French President, the ship was sailing from Russia under a false flag and was detained in the Mediterranean Sea with the support of allies.

On the morning of Thursday, January 22, French Navy personnel boarded an oil tanker traveling from Russia and under international sanctions, French President Emmanuel Macron announced on social media.

Macron also added that the ship is suspected of sailing under a false flag.

“We will not tolerate any violations. This morning, the French navy detained an oil vessel sailing from Russia, which is subject to international sanctions and is suspected of flying a false flag,” the French president said in a statement.

He added that the operation was carried out on the high seas in the Mediterranean with the support of several of France’s allies.

“It was carried out in strict accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” Macron emphasized.

The French President added that a judicial investigation has already begun.

“The vessel has been redirected. We are determined to uphold international law and ensure the effective implementation of sanctions,” he said in a statement.

Macron recalled that the activities of Russia’s “shadow fleet” contribute to the financing of the aggressive war against Ukraine.

(c)UNIAN 2026