France to prosecute captain of Russian ‘shadow fleet’ vessel for sanctions evasion and provocations near European shores
In an upcoming trial in France, the captain of a Russian oil tanker associated with the so-called ‘shadow fleet’ of Russia will face justice.
The vessel, detained off the Atlantic coast, has a complex history tied to circumventing international sanctions imposed on Moscow due to its war in Ukraine.
French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that this ship belongs to a dangerous network used for covert oil transportation, attempting to bypass restrictions.
The detention occurred during a patrol aimed at inspecting vessels suspected of involvement in drone flights near Danish waters last week, as the vessel was found in that region.
Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to the detention as ‘piracy,’ accusing Macron of political manipulation, suggesting that the action was a provocation.
Macron called for intensified pressure on Russia’s ‘shadow fleet,’ underscoring the importance of tightening measures against clandestine vessels that help Russia evade sanctions, especially those related to oil exports.
Authorities in France have begun investigative procedures, and while links between the vessel and drone activity are being considered, no conclusive evidence has been presented yet.
Russian officials dismiss the seizure in neutral waters as illegitimate, asserting that no military cargo or drones were on board.
They warn that such actions could escalate tensions in maritime regions.
The French military conducted a landing operation, discovering discrepancies between the declared and actual flags of the vessel.
The Chinese crew captain was summoned to court in Brest, facing potential penalties of up to a year in prison and a 150,000 euro fine.
Macron highlighted the capability of the French navy to identify and disrupt activities of the ‘shadow fleet,’ noting that these operations undermine Russia’s logistics, with estimates indicating that over 30 billion euros in revenue for Russia comes from this covert maritime activity, crucial for sustaining its Ukraine conflict efforts.
Previously, in January, the same vessel had been detained by Estonia for similar reasons, but was later released.
Given the ongoing sanctions regime, such covert operations continue to be a core component of Russia’s strategy to bypass restrictions on oil trade.