Europe Tightens Control: New Sanctions Package Against Russia and French Fleet Operation

International countermeasures against Russian oil trade are entering a new phase. Last week, French naval forces detained a Russian tanker in the Mediterranean Sea that was used to deliver oil in violation of international restrictions. This interception demonstrates that the sanctions package against Russia requires constant monitoring and active intervention by Western countries.

Coordinated Operation: from Gibraltar to Marseille

The interception occurred in open waters of the western Mediterranean between the Spanish and Moroccan coasts. French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that this operation was carried out with the support of allies and in strict accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The French maritime police clarified the role of the United Kingdom: Defense Minister John Hult explained that the British side provided tracking and monitoring. The vessel HMS Dagger was monitoring the tanker “Grench” as it passed through the Strait of Gibraltar.

This coordination between naval fleets demonstrates the increased Western commitment to controlling the transportation of energy resources from Russia.

Nineteen Sanctions Packages Against Russia: Moscow’s Adaptation

The EU has imposed nineteen major sanctions packages against Russia, but Moscow shows a significant capacity to adapt. Despite strict restrictions, Russia continues to export millions of barrels of oil to Asian countries, especially India and China, often at discounted prices. This resilience forces the West to seek new control mechanisms.

The intercepted tanker departed from Murmansk, a city in northern Russia subject to international sanctions. According to LSEG, the vessel was flying the flag of the Comoros Islands—a typical scheme for shadow fleets. Macron emphasized that Russia uses unauthorized flags and creates fictitious structures to hide the true origin of the cargo.

Shadow Fleet: How Russia Circumvents Sanctions

The shadow fleet is a network of ships operationally independent of the Western maritime industry. These ships transport Russian oil, bypassing official channels and risking interception. Such operations constitute a significant part of Russia’s energy exports.

Macron directly linked the activities of the shadow fleet to the financing of Russia’s military campaign against Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky viewed the interception as a demonstration of necessary resolve and proposed confiscating and selling the oil transported by such tankers, directing the proceeds to Ukraine’s needs.

International Cooperation Against Sanctions Violations

The case has been referred to the prosecutor of Marseille, specializing in maritime law. The investigation includes changing the vessel’s course for further investigation and document verification. According to TASS, the Russian side stated that it had not received notification of the interception. The Russian consulate in Marseille is trying to determine whether there are Russian citizens on board the tanker.

The operation highlights the growing importance of international cooperation in fighting against sanctions evasion. European countries and the UK demonstrate readiness to act in coordination to ensure compliance with restrictive measures, which could serve as a model for similar actions in other regions.