French navy intercepts oil tanker suspected of belonging to Russia's "ghost fleet"
3/20/2026 7:53:15 PM
The French Navy announced in a statement that it intercepted a Mozambican-flagged oil tanker in the western Mediterranean on Friday, after it sailed from Murmansk, Russia, on suspicion of belonging to Russia's "ghost fleet."
The Navy explained that an inspection to verify the tanker's flag confirmed the military's suspicions, prompting them to report the incident to the public prosecutor's office in Marseille. The vessel will be escorted to port for further investigation.
AFP reported that this is the third tanker intercepted by France on suspicion of belonging to Russia's "ghost fleet," which allows Moscow to circumvent sanctions imposed on it due to the war in Ukraine.
Commenting on the tanker's interception, French President Emmanuel Macron said that "the war in Iran will not prevent France from supporting Ukraine, where Russia's war of aggression continues."
The Navy explained that an inspection to verify the tanker's flag confirmed the military's suspicions, prompting them to report the incident to the public prosecutor's office in Marseille. The vessel will be escorted to port for further investigation.
AFP reported that this is the third tanker intercepted by France on suspicion of belonging to Russia's "ghost fleet," which allows Moscow to circumvent sanctions imposed on it due to the war in Ukraine.
Commenting on the tanker's interception, French President Emmanuel Macron said that "the war in Iran will not prevent France from supporting Ukraine, where Russia's war of aggression continues."