The French Navy seized the tanker "DF Peak" 450 nautical miles south of Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean. This tanker belongs to the Russian shadow fleet and is suspected of flying a false flag and illegal fuel transport. French President Emmanuel Macron, in a video released on Monday of the seizure operation, showed French forces descending with ropes onto the ship.
Details of the Tanker Seizure
The French Navy is escorting the tanker under the authority of the governor of Réunion for further investigation. The tanker "DF Peak" was built in 2006 and has a history of operating under various flags. According to reports, this ship has been involved in transporting Russian crude oil, which is why it has come under scrutiny.
Russia's Reaction to the Seizure
The Russian Embassy in France has called the seizure of this tanker a clear violation of international law, and Vladimir Putin had previously described the seizure of Russia-related ships as "piracy." These reactions indicate Russia's heightened sensitivity to operations related to the shadow fleet, which has recently come into focus.
Previous Operations by France and Britain
This is not the first time the French Navy has seized tankers related to Russia. In October 2023, the tanker "Boracay" was stopped off the western coast of France, and two of its crew members were arrested. Additionally, last winter, two other ships named "Grinch" and "Dina" were seized, and in June of this year, the tanker "Deliver" was intercepted near Sicily.
Britain also allowed its military and police on April 24 of this year to inspect and seize sanctioned shadow fleet ships passing through its waters. The British Prime Minister's Office stated that any operation must be approved by the relevant minister.
Number of Sanctioned Ships
According to the British government, nearly 600 ships have been sanctioned as part of the Russian shadow fleet. It is estimated that this fleet transports about 90% of Russia's exported crude oil, highlighting its strategic importance to the Russian economy.
