France intercepts Russian shadow fleet tanker in Indian Ocean

The French Navy on October 12 intercepted the oil tanker DF Peak in the Indian Ocean, linked to the Russian shadow fleet. The vessel is suspected of using a false flag and illegally transporting fuel. This is another operation by Paris against tankers used by Russia to circumvent Western sanctions.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced the detention on social media X, publishing a video of French military boarding the ship.

The operation took place more than 450 nautical miles south of the French island of Réunion. According to Macron, the tanker is suspected of sailing under a false flag and involvement in the illegal transport of petroleum products.

"France is determined to fight the shadow fleet worldwide. This operation, conducted in accordance with international maritime law, demonstrates our resolve to enforce the law and combat illegal transport wherever it occurs", the French president stated.

According to the General Staff of the French Armed Forces, the vessel was sailing under the flag of Benin. After the landing of troops, document checks confirmed doubts about the legality of using this flag.

At the request of the French prosecution, the tanker changed course. Military vessels are escorting it to an anchorage near Réunion for further investigation. The operation was carried out under Article 110 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which under certain conditions allows military ships to inspect vessels on the high seas, including on reasonable suspicion regarding their nationality.

According to Ukrainian military intelligence, DF Peak was used to transport Russian oil and is linked to the shipping company "Sovcomflot".

Specialized maritime publication Mer et Marine notes that the tanker was built in 2006. Its length is 244 meters DWT is over 110,000 tons. Previously the vessel had the names NS Captain and Kaliningrad and repeatedly changed flags.

France intensifies fight against Russian tankers

This is not the first operation by the French military against vessels linked to the Russian shadow fleet. Over the past year, Paris has repeatedly detained tankers in the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

In particular, at the end of September 2025, French military intercepted the tanker Boracay off the coast of Saint-Nazaire. The vessel was under EU sanctions and was en route from Russia. After inspection, the captain and his mate were detained for questioning, and later the tanker was allowed to continue its voyage. In March 2026, a French court sentenced the captain in absentia to one year in prison for failing to comply with military orders.

In January 2026, France detained in the Mediterranean the oil tanker Grinch, also linked to circumventing sanctions against Russia. In February, the vessel was released after its owner paid a fine amounting to several million euros.

In late May, French military intercepted in the Atlantic the tanker Tagor about 400 nautical miles off the coast of Brittany. The vessel was en route from Russian Murmansk under the flag of Cameroon, the legality of which raised doubts. The tanker was escorted to the French coast for further investigation. The operation was conducted with support from the United Kingdom.

Other European countries join detentions

The fight against the Russian shadow fleet is gradually moving beyond sanctions lists and port inspections.

Thus, in March 2026, Belgian military with French support seized in the North Sea the tanker Ethera, which was sailing under the flag of Guinea. According to Belgian authorities, the vessel's documents were forged. The tanker was taken to the port of Zeebrugge for investigation of possible sanctions evasion.

In June, the United Kingdom conducted its own operation to detain the tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel. British Royal Marines and National Crime Agency officers boarded the vessel. The ship was escorted to an anchorage near Portland.

Earlier, in April 2025, Estonia detained the tanker Kiwala, which was en route to the Russian port of Ust-Luga. Inspectors found over 40 safety violations. After rectifying deficiencies, the vessel was allowed to continue its voyage.

Putin called tanker seizures piracy

Moscow opposes interception of commercial vessels carrying Russian oil and accuses European countries of violating international maritime law.

In particular, on October 2, 2025, Vladimir Putin during a session of the Valdai Discussion Club called the detention of tanker Boracay by French military "piracy".

"That's piracy. The tanker was seized in neutral waters with no grounds whatsoever", the Russian leader had argued at the time.

According to him, French military allegedly searched for military cargo or drones aboard but found nothing. He also accused Paris of using the incident to divert attention from domestic political problems.

Russia has also begun using warships to escort part of the merchant fleet. In June 2025, the Russian corvette "Boikiy" escorted tankers linked to the shadow fleet through the English Channel.

According to specialized publication Naval News, such actions may be Moscow's response to increased European maritime control. The presence of Russian warships near tankers complicates inspections and creates a risk of direct confrontation at sea.

The shadow fleet tactic allows Russia to continue exporting oil despite Western restrictions. This employs vessels with opaque ownership structures, changeable flags and unconventional insurance schemes.

European countries seek to limit such shipments because revenue from energy exports remains a key source of funding for the Russian budget. Additional concern arises from the technical condition of some tankers and risk of major oil spills.

The interception of DF Peak in the Indian Ocean demonstrates that French operations against suspicious tankers now take place not only near European coasts but also on distant maritime routes.

Based on materials: Emmanuel Macron, Mer et Marine, Naval News