Britain helped to board and seize a Russian oil tanker in the Atlantic Ocean, French President Emmanuel Macron has said.
The Tagor, a sanctioned tanker, was boarded by the French navy on Sunday in international waters, Mr Macron said in a post on X.
It is the latest in a string of actions by western nations to frustrate Moscow’s so-called shadow fleet, the network of tankers used to export goods out of Russia and evade sanctions placed on the country after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
In the social media post, translated from French, Mr Macron said: “The French Navy intercepted a new tanker under international sanctions yesterday morning, originating from Russia: the Tagor. Our determination is steadfast and unwavering.
“This operation was carried out in the Atlantic, in international waters, with the support of several partners including the United Kingdom, in strict compliance with the law of the sea.”
He added: “It is unacceptable for ships to circumvent international sanctions, violate the law of the sea, and fund the war that Russia has been waging against Ukraine for more than 4 years.
“These vessels, which fail to adhere to the most basic rules of maritime navigation, also pose a threat to the environment and to everyone’s safety.”
Footage accompanying the post showed French troops rappelling on to the ship’s deck from a helicopter, as well as night vision footage of armed troops walking along a gangway aboard the vessel.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “We can confirm that a helicopter from onboard HMS Somerset provided tracking and monitoring in support of the French operation to board the tanker Tagor.
“Alongside our allies, we are stepping up our response to shadow vessels – to choke off the funds that fuel Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.”
Downing Street meanwhile rejected suggestions the UK did not have the military capability to lead an operation aimed at seizing a shadow fleet tanker.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The UK is disrupting and deterring shadow fleet vessels and their harmful maritime activity, and since October 2024 we have challenged more than 700 suspected shadow fleet vessels.
“I’m not going to comment on specific operational planning or give a running commentary, as this could compromise our ability to successfully take action against these ships and only benefit our adversaries.
“But as we have said previously, any target ship will be individually considered by law enforcement, military, and energy market specialists before an operation is executed.”
The UK and France have both vowed to prevent Russian flagged ships passing through their waters.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in March gave permission for British forces to seize shadow fleet vessels, leading the ships to veer way from the English Channel.
At the start of the year, the UK assisted the US in capturing the Marinera, a Russian-linked tanker travelling across the Atlantic from Venezuela.
It also helped the French capture a Russian oil tanker called the Grinch in the Mediterranean.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that Russia “considers such actions illegal”, when asked about the French-led action.
“They border on piracy,” he said, adding: “We absolutely disagree that they are being carried out in full compliance with international law.”
