Belgian and French authorities boarded and seized an oil tanker allegedly linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet,” early on 1 March.
According to Reuters, the tanker, identified by Belgian officials as the Ethera, is on the European Union’s sanctions list and is now being escorted to the port of Zeebrugge for seizure. France’s President, Emmanuel Macron, called the boarding a ” major blow to the shadow fleet” and highlighted that Europeans are determined to cut off the sources of funding for Russia’s war of aggression.
A major blow to the shadow fleet: in the North Sea, our French Navy helicopters helped last night in the boarding by Belgian forces of an oil tanker under international sanctions.
Europeans are determined to cut off the sources of funding for Russia’s war of aggression… pic.twitter.com/CnoxyND7BB
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) March 1, 2026
Belgium’s federal prosecutor confirmed that inspectors found indications the ship was sailing under a “false flag” and carrying suspected falsified documents, prompting a criminal investigation and the order to divert the vessel into Belgian territorial waters.
Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken argued that dismantling Russia’s shadow fleet is essential to limiting President Vladimir Putin’s ability to finance the war in Ukraine, stating Belgium would act decisively “one by one” against such ships. Andrii Sybiha welcomed the move and urged other countries to follow suit.
Russia has previously described the seizure of its tankers as piracy.
The Russian embassy in Belgium said it had not been notified of the seizure and was seeking clarification, including whether any Russian nationals were on board, Reuters reports.