France intercepts Russian oil tanker near Sicily

France's navy seized a Russian oil tanker, the 'Deliver', off the coast of Sicily, with President Emmanuel Macron stating the action was aimed at preventing Russia's 'shadow fleet' from circumventing sanctions and financing its war effort. Macron emphasized Europe's determination to enforce sanctions. This interception follows a similar operation by the UK in the English Channel and is part of France's efforts to intercept at least five such tankers this year. The 'shadow fleet' uses older vessels and flags of convenience to bypass international restrictions on Russian energy exports, a practice Russia has condemned as illegal.