French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Monday that French commandos, supported by the UK and other nations, seized an oil tanker named Tagor in international waters of the Atlantic. The operation occurred on May 31, 2026.
The vessel, which sails under the flag of Madagascar and had previously visited an oil terminal near Russia’s northern port of Murmansk, was intercepted by French forces. Macron claimed Tagor posed environmental and safety risks and was engaged in “circumvention of international sanctions,” referring to measures imposed by Western countries targeting Russian trade following the 2022 Ukraine conflict.
Russia’s Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov condemned the seizure as “borderline piracy” and rejected claims that France acted under international law. He stated Russia would “draw on this negative experience” when adjusting its shipping safeguards.
Western allies have accused Russia of using a so-called “shadow fleet” to conceal trade flows intended to weaken Moscow and aid Ukraine. Meanwhile, Kiev is believed to be conducting a sabotage campaign against vessels calling at Russian ports, including those used by third parties such as the Caspian Pipeline Consortium.
Last month, an LNG tanker arriving at Russia’s Baltic port of Ust-Luga from Antwerp was discovered to have limpet mines. Moscow described this incident as preventing what it called a Ukrainian attempt to trigger a major explosion near the port’s export terminal.
France previously intercepted another oil tanker, Deyna, in March 2026, which it alleged was part of Russia’s “shadow fleet.” The vessel was released after its owner paid a fine for paperwork irregularities.
The UK has been among the most vocal advocates of escalating interdictions against Russian oil tankers while avoiding direct military action. In March, British officials stated that their troops had undergone legal review to board such vessels.