France seizes Russian tanker in crackdown on ‘shadow fleet’

French special forces have seized the Russian oil tanker Pushpa off the country’s Atlantic coast, Le Parisien reported.

The 244-metre vessel, built in 2007, is suspected of being used as a platform to launch drones over Denmark between Sept. 22 and 25, including flights over Copenhagen airport. It was also allegedly involved in sanctions evasion through Russian oil trade.

The tanker had repeatedly changed names and flags, including registrations in Gabon, the Marshall Islands and Mongolia. At the time of its capture it was sailing under Benin’s flag off Saint-Nazaire in Loire-Atlantique. According to Marine Traffic, it departed from Primorsk, Russia, on Sept. 20 and was due to reach Vadinar, India, by Oct. 20.

The vessel is already under sanctions imposed by the EU, Canada, Switzerland, New Zealand and Britain. French commandos said the operation was part of efforts to curb Russia’s “shadow fleet” and prevent security risks in Europe.