World · South & Central Asia · 1 hr ago
French Navy boards tanker suspected of joining Russia’s shadow fleet
The French Navy boarded the tanker DF Peak on Oct.
12 in the Indian Ocean, about 450 nautical miles south of Reunion.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the ship was suspected of sailing under a false flag as part of Russia’s shadow fleet.
The tanker, previously called Kaliningrad, was reportedly sailing under the flag of Benin and is sanctioned by the United States, the European Union, Switzerland, Canada and Japan.
It was allegedly carrying Russian fuel subject to sanctions.
Russia’s shadow fleet consists of aging, poorly insured tankers used to ship Russian oil despite restrictions.
European countries have intercepted such ships in an effort to limit revenue from those sales.
The French Navy is escorting the DF Peak, and French officials say they acted under international maritime law.
The French Navy boarded the tanker DF Peak on Oct. 12 in the Indian Ocean.
France said the vessel was suspected of sailing under a false flag as part of Russia’s shadow fleet.
The tanker was halted 450 nautical miles south of the French territory of Reunion.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the action was carried out in accordance with international maritime law.
France’s Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin said the tanker was under French Navy escort.
- Who
- The French Navy boarded the tanker DF Peak.
- What
- France said the vessel was suspected of joining Russia’s shadow fleet and transporting sanctioned Russian fuel.
- When
- Oct. 12, 2026.
- Where
- In the Indian Ocean, 450 nautical miles south of Reunion.
- Why
- France said it was acting against the suspected false-flag vessel and illicit activity at sea.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The French Navy intercepted and boarded DF Peak in the Indian Ocean.
France's Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin said the tanker was under French Navy escort.
- Vessel
- DF Peak, previously named Kaliningrad
- Boarding date
- Oct. 12, 2026
- Location
- 450 nautical miles (833 kilometers) south of Reunion
- Alleged flag
- Benin
- Sanctions
- U.S., EU, Switzerland, Canada and Japan
What people are saying
France is determined to combat the ghost fleet, wherever it may be in the world.
International law is not optional.
Posts on X
La France est déterminée à lutter contre la flotte fantôme, partout dans le monde. Ce matin, à plus de 450 nautiques au sud de La Réunion, notre Marine nationale a arraisonné le pétrolier DF Peak, suspecté de naviguer sous un faux pavillon et impliqué dans des activités
Je félicite les militaires des Forces Armées dans la zone Sud de l'océan Indien, mobilisés ce matin à près de 450 nautiques au sud de l’île de la Réunion. Leur intervention a permis d’intercepter un pétrolier suspecté de naviguer sous faux pavillon. Le navire est désormais
Sources
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