French soldiers have recently boarded an oil tanker thought to be linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet.” This fleet is known for trying to bypass sanctions related to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The vessel, named Boracay, left Russia about a month ago. When it was near Denmark, a series of unidentified drones disrupted several airports. The Boracay has been anchored off the western coast of France for a few days now.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the crew has committed “serious offences” but didn’t provide details. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov claimed Russia knew nothing about the ship.
Reports indicate French military personnel boarded the tanker on Saturday. Macron did not confirm if the ship was involved in the drone activity that caused panic in Denmark last week.
French prosecutors in Brest have launched an investigation into two main issues: the ship’s refusal to stop when ordered and questions about the nationality of its flag.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, many Western countries have imposed sanctions on Russian energy. These measures include limiting imports and capping oil prices. In response, Russia has created a “shadow fleet” of tankers, obscuring their ownership and movements to export its oil. It’s believed that this fleet consists of hundreds of vessels—estimates suggest between 600 and 1,000 ships.
The Boracay is flagged in Benin but is on the list of UK and EU sanctions against Russia. Earlier this year, it was detained by Estonian authorities for sailing without a valid flag.
After leaving Primorsk in Russia on September 20, the Boracay navigated through various seas before altering its course upon approaching the French coast. Data from the Marine Traffic tracking site showed it was initially headed for India, but French warships intercepted it first.
Recently, EU leaders met in Copenhagen, where the topic of Russian aggressions in airspace was high on the agenda. Just days before, multiple airports in Denmark faced drone disruptions, which were seen as threats to European security. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen voiced concerns, indicating that Russia poses a significant risk.
Even though there’s no proof linking Russia to the recent drone incidents, Frederiksen pointed to a wider trend of hybrid attacks, such as drone activities over Poland. This has led EU countries, especially those situated closer to Russia, to explore building a “drone wall” for quicker detection and neutralization of potential threats.
Additional Insights
According to a 2023 report by the European Commission, around 80% of EU member states now support increased defense spending, partly fueled by the geopolitical threats posed by Russia. This statistic highlights a growing awareness and urgency within Europe to bolster national and collective security measures against potential aggressions.
