French Military Boards Russian Tanker Suspected of Drone Involvement

French military personnel have boarded the Boracay, a Benin-flagged oil tanker blacklisted by the European Union for being part of Russia's 'shadow fleet'. The vessel is suspected of involvement in drone flights over Denmark last month.

The Boracay departed from Russia's Primorsk port on September 20 and was off the Danish coast between September 22 and 25, coinciding with drone sightings that disrupted air traffic in Denmark.

French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the ship had committed 'serious offences' and emphasized the broader issue of Russia's shadow fleet, estimated to comprise 600 to 1,000 vessels.

The Brest prosecutor's office has launched an investigation into the crew's 'failure to justify the nationality of the vessel' and 'refusal to cooperate'.

The Kremlin stated it had no specific knowledge about the vessel but criticized certain countries for 'provocative actions'.

This incident underscores ongoing tensions and scrutiny around maritime oil transport in the context of sanctions and the global energy market.