French military personnel have boarded an oil tanker identified as part of a Russian “shadow fleet,” allegedly used to circumvent sanctions related to the war in Ukraine. The vessel, known as the Boracay, departed from Russia last month and was reportedly located off the coast of Denmark when several airports experienced temporary closures due to unidentified drone activity. It has since been anchored off western France.
During an EU leaders’ summit in Copenhagen, President Emmanuel Macron indicated that the crew of the Boracay had committed “serious offences,” but did not provide further details. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov asserted that Russia was not aware of the tanker’s activities.
Reports have stated that French forces boarded the vessel on Saturday. Macron declined to speculate on any potential connection between the ship and the drone incidents that disrupted air operations in Denmark. In response to the boarding, Brest prosecutors initiated an investigation focusing on two main issues: the refusal of the vessel to stop and the failure to confirm the nationality of its flag.
Western nations imposed sanctions on Russian energy sectors following the country’s extensive invasion of Ukraine in 2022. These sanctions led to the establishment of what is known as a “shadow fleet,” a group of tankers whose ownership and movements are obscured to evade restrictions. Estimates suggest that Russia may operate between 600 and 1,000 ships under various flags.
The Boracay, which is flagged from Benin, is also under UK and EU sanctions related to Russia. Previously, it was detained by Estonian authorities for sailing without a valid flag. The tanker had departed from the Russian port of Primorsk and was originally en route to Vadinar, India, before altering its course toward France.
Meanwhile, Copenhagen was recently subject to drone disruptions, leading the Danish Prime Minister to indicate that Russia poses a significant threat to European security. Although Danish police have not confirmed Russia’s involvement in the drone activities, the Prime Minister connected them to broader security concerns across Europe, particularly in relation to hybrid threats from Russia. Member states have begun formulating strategies, such as a “drone wall,” to enhance defenses against such incursions.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2j1gynjddo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss