Key facts
- France seized the DF Peak tanker, suspected of being part of Russia's "shadow fleet" that circumvents Western sanctions.
- The tanker was intercepted approximately 450 nautical miles south of Reunion Island.
- The DF Peak was suspected of sailing under a false flag and engaging in illicit fuel transportation.
- This is at least the fifth Russian-linked tanker seized by France since 2024.
- Russia's embassy in France described the seizure as "piracy" and a violation of international law.
- The vessel was partially loaded and last seen off the coast of Madagascar.
France's military has seized a tanker, the DF Peak, suspected of being part of Russia's "shadow fleet" that transports oil while evading Western sanctions. The vessel was intercepted approximately 450 nautical miles south of Reunion Island, a French territory in the Indian Ocean, and is being taken to the island for detailed examination.
French army spokesperson Colonel Xavier Rival stated that doubts about the vessel's flag registry prompted the inspection and subsequent seizure. President Emmanuel Macron affirmed France's determination to combat the shadow fleet, citing suspicions of false flagging and illicit fuel transportation activities.
The DF Peak, previously named the Kaliningrad and flagged from Benin, is at least the fifth Russian-linked tanker to be seized by France since 2024. Russia's embassy in France, according to state news agency RIA, decried the action as "piracy" and a blatant violation of international law, adding that Russia had not been notified of the seizure and was working to determine if any Russian citizens were among the crew.
Russia has utilized such tankers, often lacking mainstream insurance or safety certifications, to circumvent sanctions by obscuring ownership, cargo, and movements through various flag registries. The DF Peak was partially loaded and was last seen off the coast of Madagascar on October 12. The vessel has reportedly been hit by US, UK, and EU sanctions in 2024.