France Seizes an Oil Tanker Leaving Murmansk
On June 1, maritime authorities in France's Atlantic region announced that the French Navy had seized an oil tanker reportedly departing from Russia's Murmansk.
"On May 31, 2026, the French Navy conducted enforcement operations in international waters more than 400 nautical miles west of Brittany against an oil tanker leaving Murmansk."
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the vessel involved was named the *Targo*, and that it was allegedly listed on international sanctions lists. Macron also shared footage from the scene on social media: helicopters deploying naval personnel onto the ship, followed by armed teams searching the cargo holds.
French maritime authorities said they suspected the vessel was flying a false flag, prompting naval forces to board and verify its ownership.
The statement noted that document checks confirmed French suspicions. The case has now been handed over to the public prosecutor in Brest, who has ordered the vessel to be relocated. The French Navy is currently escorting the ship to anchorage.
France maintains that this operation fully complies with international law and says it received cooperation from allies such as the United Kingdom.
This is not the first time French authorities have seized vessels suspected of ties to Russia and flying foreign flags.
Russia previously labeled such actions by Western countries as "piracy in the 21st century."
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1866772826059852/
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