France releases Russian captain of detained Moscow-linked tanker
French authorities have released the captain of a Russian oil tanker suspected of being part of a sanction-busting fleet. The captain was detained for about a day to facilitate ongoing judicial investigations. The tanker, Tagor, remains in Douarnenez Bay while the investigation continues.
- ▪The Russian captain was released after approximately one day in detention.
- ▪The Tagor is suspected of carrying Russian or Iranian oil and was falsely flying a Cameroonian flag.
- ▪This incident marks the fourth ship seized by France since September related to the 'shadow fleet.'
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A French Navy vessel sails by the Russian oil tanker "Tagor" as it arrives in Douarnenez Bay, France, on June 2, 2026. FRED TANNEAU / AFP French authorities have released from custody the Russian captain of an oil tanker suspected of belonging to Moscow's sanction-busting "shadow fleet," a prosecutor said Thursday, June 4. He was set free late Wednesday after around a day in detention "to allow the continuation of extensive and complex judicial investigations," said Brest chief prosecutor Stéphane Kellenberger. The Tagor, which the French navy detained on Sunday on suspicion of flying a false flag, would remain inside the Douarnenez Bay in Brittany, the prosecutor added.
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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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