France seizes sanctioned Russian oil tanker with UK help

France, with help from the United Kingdom, has seized a Russian-linked oil tanker in the Atlantic Ocean. The ship was part of what is known as Russia's 'shadow fleet' — vessels used to evade Western sanctions on Russian oil exports. French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the operation, which involved the French navy boarding the tanker.

The Kremlin has called the seizure 'piracy,' accusing France and its allies of an unlawful act. The tanker was carrying Russian oil and was subject to sanctions imposed by Western nations over Russia's war in Ukraine. The operation marks another step in efforts to enforce those sanctions and disrupt Russia's oil trade.