France authorities detain Russian captain of seized oil tanker
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French authorities have detained the Russian captain of the oil tanker Tagor, suspected of flying a false flag. The tanker was intercepted by the French Navy in international waters while allegedly attempting to circumvent Western sanctions. This incident marks the fourth seizure of a vessel linked to Russia's 'shadow fleet' since September 2025.
- ▪The Tagor was boarded by the French Navy on June 2, 2026, with assistance from British forces.
- ▪The captain faces potential penalties of up to one year in prison and a €150,000 fine.
- ▪The tanker is suspected of carrying Russian or Iranian oil and was falsely flying a Cameroonian flag.
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A French Navy vessel sails by the Russian oil tanker "Tagor," suspected of flying a false Cameroonian flag and boarded by the French Navy on May 31, 2026, as it arrives in Douarnenez Bay, western France, on June 2, 2026. The ship from the Russian "ghost fleet"—used by Moscow to circumvent Western sanctions on its oil sales—was heading toward the coastal city of Limbe in Cameroon. The French Navy believed the ship was likely flying a false flag and decided to board it, as permitted under the Montego Bay Convention. The interception of this oil tanker is the fourth of its kind carried out by France since September 2025.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Le Monde (EN).
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