French-held oil tanker of the shadow fleet resumes voyage - French Authorities Detain Russian-Owned Oil Tanker Amidst Diplomatic Row
A 244-meter-long oil tanker, previously known as the 'Boracay', has been detained by French authorities near the island of Ouessant in the Atlantic. The vessel, which has changed its flag and name multiple times, has been on the EU sanctions list since February. The incident has sparked a diplomatic row between France and Russia.
The tanker, now named 'Loyalty', was stopped while sailing from Russia to India. French soldiers boarded the vessel, raising speculation about its potential use as a drone launchpad. The captain, a Chinese national, is accused of disregarding an official instruction and will appear in court in Brest in February.
French President Emmanuel Macron used the incident to call for a joint approach against Russia's 'shadow fleet'. He stated, 'This is not a simple matter of a ship, it's about a strategy.' Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused France of 'piracy' and threatened retaliatory measures.
The 'Loyalty', previously known as the 'Boracay', remains in French custody. The captain's trial is set for February. The incident has highlighted tensions between France and Russia, with both leaders exchanging strong words. The EU continues to monitor the situation, as the tanker has been on their sanctions list for some time.
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