France intercepts Russian oil tanker in Mediterranean suspected of using false flag

France's navy intercepted a Russian oil tanker in the Mediterranean Sea on January 22, with President Emmanuel Macron saying the vessel is under international sanctions and suspected of using a false flag, French authorities announced.

French military personnel boarded the tanker before redirecting it to port, with Macron stating the operation was conducted with allied support and "in strict accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea". A judicial investigation has been opened.

"This morning, the French Navy boarded an oil tanker coming from Russia, subject to international sanctions and suspected of flying a false flag," according to the French president's post.

The French Mediterranean Maritime Prefecture identified the intercepted vessel as the tanker Grinch, which was travelling from Murmansk. The operation was conducted under Article 110 of the UN Convention "aimed at verifying the nationality of a vessel suspected of sailing under a foreign flag".

Document checks on board confirmed the suspicions, the prefecture said. The French navy is escorting the vessel to port for further inspections, with a complaint filed with the Marseille prosecutor's office.

France's General Staff of the Armed Forces said British military personnel from the United Kingdom's Permanent Joint Headquarters participated in the operation.

"These actions demonstrate the unwavering commitment and determination of France and its partners to act in accordance with international law," the General Staff said.

The interception came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 22, called on European countries to seize Russian oil from tankers and sell it.

"Why can [American President Donald] Trump stop shadow fleet tankers and take the oil, but Europe cannot? Russian oil is transported along European coasts, this oil finances the war against Ukraine, this oil helps destabilise Europe. Therefore, Russian oil must be stopped, confiscated and sold," Zelenskyy said.