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French navy intercepts sanctioned Russian tanker in Mediterranean, Macron says

By Thomson Reuters Jan 22, 2026 | 8:49 AM

PARIS, Jan 22 (Reuters) – The French navy intercepted a ‍sanctioned Russian tanker in the Mediterranean on Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron said ‌on X.

“This operation ‌was carried out … with the support of several of our allies. It ​was conducted in full compliance with ‍the ​United Nations Convention ​on the Law of ‍the Sea,” he said.

The vessel was subject to international sanctions and suspected ‍of operating under a false flag, he said.

“The activities ‍of ‍the shadow ​fleet contribute to ​financing (Russia’s) ⁠war of aggression ‌against Ukraine,” Macron added on X.

(Reporting by Inti Landauro, Dominique Vidalon; Editing by Ros ⁠Russell)