French navy block tanker from Russia

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France, with the support of the United Kingdom and several European partners, has blocked a tanker that departed from Russia.

“The operation was carried out within the framework of international monitoring and sanctions,” the French president said.

According to preliminary information, the vessel is registered within the so-called “shadow fleet” system and is believed by Western assessments to be used to circumvent restrictions on Russian oil exports.

France has not disclosed the name or legal status of the vessel, but said the investigation is under way to determine what cargo it was carrying, as well as whether its route complied with existing sanctions.