France intercepts sanctioned Russian oil tanker flying false flag in Mediterranean
France is determined to uphold international law and to ensure the effective enforcement of sanctions. French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday announced that his country has intercepted a sanctioned Russian oil tanker in the Mediterranean.
“This morning, the French Navy boarded an oil tanker coming from Russia, subject to international sanctions and suspected of flying a false flag,” Macron said in a post on X.
According to the French President, the operation was conducted on the high seas in the Mediterranean, with the support of several of our allies.
“It was carried out in strict compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” Macron said.
We will not tolerate any violation.
This morning, the French Navy boarded an oil tanker coming from Russia, subject to international sanctions and suspected of flying a false flag.
The operation was conducted on the high seas in the Mediterranean,… pic.twitter.com/zhXVdzPx1r
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) January 22, 2026
He also said that France was determined to uphold international law and to ensure the effective enforcement of sanctions.
