French navy boards, searches tanker 'from Russia' in Mediterranean, says Emmanuel Macron

French navy boarded and searched a "Russian oil tanker" in Mediterranean, President Emmanuel Macron informed on Thursday, adding that the nation would not tolerate "any violation".

He added that the tanker was "subject to international sanctions" and was "suspected of flying a false flag"."We will not tolerate any violation. This morning, the French Navy boarded an oil tanker coming from Russia, subject to international sanctions and suspected of flying a false flag. The operation was conducted on the high seas in the Mediterranean, with the support of several of our allies," he said.

"It was carried out in strict compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

A judicial investigation has been opened. The vessel has been diverted. We are determined to uphold international law and to ensure the effective enforcement of sanctions. The activities of the “shadow fleet” contribute to financing the war of aggression against Ukraine," he added.

Earlier this month, US confiscated a Russian-flagged oil tanker connected to Venezuela and intercepted another vessel, the M/T Sophia. US Southern Command said the Bella-1 breached American sanctions, while the Sophia was operating in international waters and engaged in illegal activities.