Russian Oil Tanker Seized Off French Coast
The French Navy has intercepted and detained a Russian tanker near its coastline, according to the English section of webangah news Agency, citing Agence France-Presse.
Authorities reported that the French Navy successfully tracked and seized a Russian vessel identified as part of a “shadow fleet” after suspicious activities were detected off the Atlantic coast.This operation marks a meaningful intensification of European enforcement actions against Moscow.
The tanker, named PUSHPA and also operating under the name Boracay, sailed under the flag of benin. However, French officials have accused it of carrying forged documentation.
The ship currently remains near the Saint-Nazaire offshore wind farm in international waters just outside France’s territorial limits.
French naval forces have deployed extensive maritime surveillance equipment to monitor the tanker closely.
As its arrival, a French patrol vessel has maintained constant presence near PUSHPA, ensuring continuous observation.
According to French maritime authorities, units in Paris actively tracked the vessel as it navigated along France’s northwest coastline before altering course toward shore.
French prosecutors have opened investigations into discrepancies regarding its flag registration and refusal to comply with official orders.
