Moscow has called France\u2019s detention of the ship, and arrest of the captain, an act of piracy.<\/p>\n
Published On 2 Oct 20252 Oct 2025<\/p>\n
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France has said it is increasing pressure on Russia to end its invasion of Ukraine by detaining an oil tanker suspected of operating as part of Russia\u2019s so-called \u201cshadow fleet\u201d and putting its captain on trial.<\/p>\n
France\u2019s detention of the tanker is part of a new European strategy to block revenue funding Moscow\u2019s war effort in Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron said at an EU event in Copenhagen on Thursday.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe want to increase pressure on Russia to convince it to return to the negotiating table,\u201d Macron said. \u201cWe have now decided to take a step further by moving towards a policy of obstruction when we have suspicious ships in our waters that are involved in this trafficking.\u201d<\/p>\n
The tanker, called the Boracay, was sailing last week off the coast of Denmark and was cited by European naval experts as possibly being involved in drone flights over the country<\/a>. A\u00a0series of drone incidents near the country\u2019s airports and military bases<\/a> over the last week forced the closure<\/a> of the Copenhagen airport, causing major disruptions.<\/p>\n Macron said he could not rule out a connection between the vessel and the drone incursions, but so far lacked proof. Moscow has denied any involvement.<\/p>\n French Navy commandos raided the Boracay on Saturday off western France.<\/p>\n An investigation led by the French navy concluded that the ship, coming from Russia and heading to India with a \u201clarge oil shipment,\u201d was flying no flag, St\u00e9phane Kellenberger, prosecutor of the western port city of Brest, said.<\/p>\n