French Navy Boards Sanctioned Russian Tanker Off Western Coast
French military forces have detained two senior crew members from the Russian tanker Boracay, a vessel identified as part of Russia's 'shadow fleet' used to circumvent Western sanctions. The Benin-flagged ship was boarded by French troops near Saint-Nazaire on France's western coast, where it had been anchored for several days.
French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the arrests during an EU summit in Copenhagen, stating the crew faces allegations of 'very serious offenses' related to recent drone incidents that disrupted Danish airspace. The Boracay had been positioned off the Danish coast from September 22-25, coinciding with mysterious drone flights that forced temporary closures of multiple Danish airports.
Shadow Fleet Operations Under Scrutiny
The Boracay represents a growing concern for European security officials - Russia's shadow fleet of aging tankers used to export oil while evading sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine. Macron emphasized that 'Russia's shadow fleet of 600-1,000 ships represents tens of billions of euros and makes up 40% of Russia's war effort' according to Le Monde reporting.
The vessel, also known as Pushpa and Kiwala, was blacklisted by the European Union in February 2025 and had previously been detained by Estonian authorities for sailing without valid registration. Built in 2007, the 244-meter tanker departed from Russia's Primorsk port on September 20 and was en route to India before being intercepted by French forces.
Legal Proceedings and Security Implications
French prosecutors in Brest have opened an investigation focusing on the crew's failure to justify the vessel's nationality and refusal to cooperate with authorities. The captain and first mate face potential penalties including one year imprisonment and fines up to €150,000.
The incident occurs amid heightened European security concerns following multiple drone violations across NATO airspace. As reported by Al Jazeera, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated she 'cannot reject in any way that it could be Russia' behind the drone incidents that targeted multiple airports including Copenhagen and Aalborg.
NATO officials have responded by calling for increased investment in air defense systems specifically designed to counter drone threats. The alliance recently deployed Dutch and Polish fighter jets to intercept Russian drones in European airspace, highlighting the growing sophistication of aerial threats facing the continent.
The Boracay case represents one of the most significant enforcement actions against Russia's shadow fleet to date, demonstrating European willingness to confront sanction-evasion operations that fund Moscow's military activities. As security analyst Maria Kovalenko noted, 'This arrest sends a clear message that Europe will not tolerate covert operations that threaten our security infrastructure'.