French Navy intercepts Russian shadow fleet tanker in Indian Ocean
The tanker DF Peak, previously named Kaliningrad, has falsely sailed under the flag of Benin and is sanctioned by the U.S, EU, Switzerland, Canada, and Japan.
On October 12, the French Navy apprehended a tanker, DF Peak, suspected of operating under a false flag in Russia's shadow fleet, according to President Emmanuel Macron. The vessel, previously known as Kaliningrad, was intercepted 450 nautical miles south of Reunion in the Indian Ocean. Macron emphasized France's commitment to combating illicit trafficking, stating the action was taken in line with international maritime law.
The tanker, once identified as Kaliningrad, had been falsely flying the Benin flag. Sanctioned by the U.S., EU, Switzerland, Canada, and Japan, the vessel carries crude oil and is currently under French naval escort. France's Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin affirmed the country's determination to enforce international law and combat maritime illicit activities.
The DF Peak is part of Russia's shadow fleet, a network of aging, poorly insured tankers used to transport oil in violation of international sanctions. Western governments have accused Russia of employing this fleet to support its hybrid war against Europe. Since October 2023, international efforts have decreased the number of such ships flying false flags to less than half, according to a report by the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air.
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