French Navy Boards Russia-Linked Tanker in Indian Ocean Suspected of Illicit Fuel Transportation
The French navy intercepted and boarded an oil tanker, the DF Peak, in the Indian Ocean, which is suspected of being part of Russia’s 'shadow fleet.' French President Emmanuel Macron announced the operation, stating that naval inspectors boarded the vessel to verify its nationality due to doubts about its claimed Benin registration. The incident occurred approximately 450 nautical miles south of Réunion Island, a French overseas territory. Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin confirmed that the tanker was being escorted to Réunion for further checks. President Macron indicated that the DF Peak is suspected of sailing under a false flag and engaging in illicit fuel transportation. The vessel is currently subject to sanctions from the U.S., EU, U.K., and Ukraine. This marks at least the sixth shadow-fleet tanker detained by French authorities in the past year.
