The captain of an oil tanker detained off the Atlantic coast of France will face trial in February due to the crew’s alleged refusal to cooperate with authorities, according to a French prosecutor. President Emmanuel Macron has suggested that the tanker may be part of Russia’s “shadow fleet,” which consists of older vessels circumventing Western sanctions related to the Ukraine conflict. Macron hinted that the tanker could have been involved in drone flights over Denmark while it was traversing nearby waters.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned the detention, labeling it an act of piracy and suggesting that the move was politically motivated by Macron to distract from domestic issues. He stated there was no justification for seizing the vessel in neutral waters, asserting that it was not carrying military cargo or drones, and warned that such actions could heighten the risk of confrontation.
Macron emphasized the need for caution regarding potential links between the tanker and drone activities, citing ongoing investigations by French authorities. Stéphane Kellenberger, the prosecutor in Brest, noted that two crew members were released from custody, and a judicial inquiry was initiated following a report of discrepancies concerning the vessel’s nationality. The French navy boarded the ship under international law after it was determined that it was sailing without a flag while carrying a substantial oil shipment from Russia to India.
The captain of the tanker is set to appear in court on February 23, facing possible charges that could result in a prison sentence or significant fines. The vessel, currently anchored near Saint-Nazaire, had previously been associated with similar detentions in Estonia, where it had been identified for not displaying a valid flag.
The Kremlin has expressed limited knowledge about the situation and criticized what it views as provocative actions against Russia. The broader context involves a network of aging tankers designed to help Russia’s oil exporters navigate sanctions imposed by Western nations. Meanwhile, a Finnish court recently dismissed charges against crew members of another vessel believed to be linked to this shadow fleet.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/03/captain-of-oil-tanker-linked-to-russia-shadow-fleet-to-face-trial-in-france