Photo: el Periodico
France Arrests Captain and First Officer of Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Tanker After Naval Operation
French authorities have arrested the captain and first officer of a Russian “shadow fleet” tanker after naval forces boarded the vessel, which may have been linked to recent drone incidents near Denmark.
The investigation was launched over the crew’s “inability to justify the vessel’s nationality” and their “refusal to cooperate.”
“Thanks to the marine commandos and French Navy crews who intervened this weekend aboard the Russian shadow fleet tanker now anchored off Saint-Nazaire. Their actions led to the arrest of two crew members,” Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu wrote on X.
According to tracking data, the Boracay—a Benin-flagged vessel blacklisted by the European Union as part of Russia’s shadow fleet evading sanctions—was operating off Denmark’s coast from September 22 to 25, when drone activity forced the temporary closure of Copenhagen airport.
Drones were spotted across Denmark, including over military sites, beginning September 22. The incidents led to the brief closure of several airports and a nationwide ban on civilian drone flights until Friday.
An AFP military source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Boracay, now located off France’s western coast, was intercepted by French authorities on Saturday. On October 1, it became known that French forces had boarded the oil tanker.
