France's Navy, working with intelligence provided by the United Kingdom, on Thursday intercepted an oil tanker in the Mediterranean Sea that travelled from Russia, in a mission targeting the sanctioned Russian shadow fleet, officials said. French maritime authorities for the Mediterranean said the ship, the Grinch, is suspected of operating with a false flag. The French Navy is escorting the ship to port for more checks, the statement said. “The activities of the shadow fleet' contribute to financing the war of aggression against Ukraine,” Macron added. The ship was flying under a false flag from the Comoros islands, which are off east Africa, and its crew is Indian, the officials said.

Source: The Telegraph January 22, 2026 19:20 UTC