French Navy intercepts sanctioned Russian-linked oil tanker in Indian Ocean
Photo: France intercepted a tanker in the Indian Ocean (Getty Images)
The French Navy stopped a tanker linked to Russia’s shadow fleet in the Indian Ocean. Paris suspects the vessel was sailing under a false flag, French President Emmanuel Macron reported.
The tanker DF Peak was intercepted on the morning of Monday, October 12, more than 450 nautical miles south of Réunion Island.
The vessel is also suspected of involvement in the illegal transportation of fuel. Macron stressed that France was determined to combat the shadow fleet anywhere in the world.
La France est déterminée à lutter contre la flotte fantôme, partout dans le monde.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) October 12, 2026
Ce matin, à plus de 450 nautiques au sud de La Réunion, notre Marine nationale a arraisonné le pétrolier DF Peak, suspecté de naviguer sous un faux pavillon et impliqué dans des activités… pic.twitter.com/GS91egdvzN
“This action, carried out in accordance with international maritime law, demonstrates our determination to uphold the rule of law and combat all illicit trafficking, wherever it occurs,” Macron wrote.
What is known about the DF Peak tanker
According to War&Sanctions, a database maintained by Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence, the DF Peak is linked to Russia’s sanctioned Sovcomflot company. The vessel transports crude oil.
The tanker is also under sanctions imposed by the United States, Canada, the European Union, Ukraine, Switzerland, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
In late August, Albania refused to allow the oil tanker HANUMAN to enter the port of Durrës.
Ukraine’s intelligence agency had added the vessel to its database of active participants in Russia’s shadow fleet in January.
As RBC-Ukraine reported, in early October, the UK Foreign Office said Russia was creating a new shadow fleet to evade sanctions.
The United Kingdom also imposed sanctions on eight more vessels, including two new liquefied natural gas tankers.
