French Authorities Charge Captain of Oil Tanker Linked to Russia's Shadow Fleet

Tue Oct 21 2025 17:10:07 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The captain of the Boracay, an oil tanker suspected of evading sanctions, faces charges in France as tensions escalate over maritime law and Russian oil exports.

The captain of an oil tanker believed to be part of a Russian 'shadow fleet' has been charged by French authorities after failing to comply with naval instructions. The vessel, the Boracay, has been linked to sanctions evasion in response to the war in Ukraine. The case raises significant questions about maritime law and international responses to Russian aggression.

The captain of an oil tanker believed to be part of Russia's 'shadow fleet' of vessels used to evade sanctions has been charged by French authorities.

The Chinese national was handed one count of refusing to follow instructions from the French navy and has been ordered to attend a court hearing in Brest next February.

The Boracay left Russia last month and was off the coast of Denmark when unidentified drones temporarily closed several airports last week.

The tanker was boarded by French soldiers earlier this week as it was on a list of vessels subject to EU sanctions for carrying Russian oil exports. Russian President Vladimir Putin labeled France's actions as 'piracy.'

The Kremlin had previously denied any knowledge of the vessel.

The Boracay is currently registered in Benin, having changed name and flag multiple times in recent years to evade sanctions instituted due to Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

The French prosecutor's office stated that the captain did not provide a coherent explanation regarding the flag under which the ship was operating.

The captain and a second Chinese national detained alongside him were investigated for two offenses: refusing to comply with naval orders and failing to justify the ship's nationality. The second captain was released without charges.

Now anchored near Saint-Nazaire, the Boracay has a history of evading international scrutiny, and its actions tie into Russia's creation of a 'shadow fleet'—a network of tankers obscuring ownership to circumvent sanctions.

French President Emmanuel Macron has emphasized that the shadow fleet is suspected to comprise between 600 and 1,000 vessels, complicating efforts to regulate Russian oil exports. Earlier this year, the Boracay was detained by Estonian authorities for sailing without a valid national flag.

While initially heading for India, the tanker’s movements have raised questions, including its potential link to recent drone incursions into Danish airspace, though the Danish authorities say no evidence connects Russia to these events. The discussion continues as Europe grapples with security responses to these evolving threats.