France Detains Oil Tanker Traveling From Russia

• 22.01.2026, 17:37

The operation was conducted in the international waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the French Navy, backed by allies, detained an oil tanker traveling from Russia today, January 22:

- We will not tolerate any violations. This morning, the French Navy detained a Russian-bound oil tanker under international sanctions suspected of using a false flag.

The operation was carried out in international waters of the Mediterranean Sea with the support of several allied states and in strict compliance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

A judicial investigation has been launched into the incident:

- We intend to uphold international law and ensure effective enforcement of sanctions. The activities of the so-called "shadow fleet" help finance the war of aggression against Ukraine.

Macron did not specify the name of the vessel, but it was made by France's maritime prefecture for the Mediterranean. The navy detained the oil tanker Grinch, which was en route from Murmansk, the statement said. The tanker left Murmansk on January 5.

"The Grinch" is under sanctions by the US, EU, Switzerland, UK, Canada and Ukraine, according to a service of ship calls to Russian ports. It carries oil mainly to China and India. It sails under the flag of the Comoros.

It should be noted that this is the first time Europe has detained oil tankers of Russia's "shadow fleet".