France Seizes Oil Tanker Departing Russia in Mediterranean

The French navy suspects the oil tanker is part of a shadow fleet carrying sanctioned Russian crude.

France's navy, working with intelligence provided by the UK, intercepts an oil tanker in the Mediterranean Sea on Jan. 22, 2026. Etat-Major des Armees via AP

The French Navy boarded a sanctioned oil tanker on Jan. 22 that departed from Russia while sailing under a false flag in the Mediterranean Sea, according to French President Emmanuel Macron.

The operation was carried out with several allies and in strict compliance with the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, Macron said.