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    France seizes Russian shadow fleet tanker in Mediterranean
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    France seizes Russian shadow fleet tanker in Mediterranean

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    33 Comments

    3. 2shayyy on

      Seems like all of Europe is starting to do this. I feel like a conversation has been had privately.

    4. emwac on

      France has been pretty fucking awesome lately! I hope it encourages some spinal growth among the rest of our leaders.

    10. yenneferismywaifu on

      This is a great move. We need more of this, and more often. A strong and courageous Europe that isn’t afraid to punish the bad guys—that’s what we need.

    11. jeremy9931 on

      About time. How nobody in Europe has came to the conclusion of “why buy Russian oil when you can confiscate it for free legally?” over the last 3 years, I’ll never know.

    14. figuring_ItOut12 on

      Macron is not doing it right. You’re supposed to confiscate the oil, yes.

      But then you dump it on the open market and pocket the proceeds to offshore accounts only you and your cronies control. How could he mess up something so simple… /s

    17. TremendousVarmint on

      It is of utmost urgency that all these tankers be secure in a safe harbour. It would be a ~~damn shame~~ serious environmental hazard if they sank in the middle of the sea due to ~~ukrainian sea drones~~ lack of proper maintenance. At least until a peace accord can be negotiated.

    20. _chip on

      I’m liking this trend. A much harder line. Seize them. How you guna transport it without any boats ?

    21. EarlOfThrouaway on

      What?

      But how will France deposit the proceeds into Trump’s Qatari bank account?!?

    22. dat_9600gt_user on

      # France has seized a tanker linked to the shadow fleet operated by Russia after a French Navy interception operation in the Mediterranean, President Emmanuel Macron has confirmed.

      In a statement, Macron said the vessel originated from Russia, was subject to international sanctions, and was suspected of operating under a false flag. The operation was conducted on the high seas with the support of allied nations and in full compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

      *“We will let nothing slide,”* the French president said, confirming that a judicial investigation has now been opened and that the tanker has been diverted under French authority.

      According to Macron, the interception formed part of wider efforts to enforce international sanctions and prevent circumvention mechanisms used to sustain Russia’s war economy. *“We are determined to enforce international law and ensure the effectiveness of sanctions,”* he said.

      The shadow fleet refers to a network of ageing tankers used to transport Russian oil outside price cap regimes, often operating through opaque ownership structures, frequent reflagging, and limited insurance coverage. Western governments have increasingly warned that the practice not only undermines sanctions enforcement but also poses environmental and maritime safety risks. Macron directly linked the operation to the war in Ukraine, stating that *“the activities of the shadow fleet contribute to financing the war of aggression against Ukraine.”*

    23. Shaolinpower2 on

      Wait… Is this legal? And how is this not piracy? And what will happen if they’ll start seizing French ships? Serious questions btw. I actually want to learn.

    31. NewOil7911 on

      In a world where no one applies international rules, there’s no reason why we should be the only idiots to apply them.

      So I support this.