France seizes tanker in Indian Ocean over Russia sanctions suspicions

The French Navy has intercepted an oil tanker south of La Réunion, a French island territory in the Indian Ocean. French officials suspect the vessel is part of Russia's "shadow fleet" — a group of unregistered or disguised ships used to move Russian oil despite international sanctions. The French Armed Forces released footage showing navy personnel boarding the vessel. Officials said the tanker was "suspected of sailing under a false flag," meaning it may have flown another country's flag to hide its true origin. The operation highlights growing efforts by European nations to enforce sanctions against Russia. The shadow fleet allows Russia to sell oil abroad while avoiding restrictions imposed after its invasion of Ukraine.