Die französische Marine hat den Tanker Grinch geentert, der mit der russischen Schattenflotte in Verbindung steht

France’s Navy intercepted an oil tanker in the Mediterranean Sea that travelled from Russia on Thursday, 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.

„We are determined to uphold international law and to ensure the effective enforcement of sanctions,“ French President Emmanuel Macron said in a post about the interception, with a photo showing a French helicopter hovering over a ship.

Bon travail

Vive la France! Leading by example, from the guys who made the Statue of Liberty!

French smoke a lot right? That’s just inviting carelessness.

But will they seize it or just send it back to Whoville?

My heart just grew 3 sizes

grinch, really.

Seize the ship – sell the oil – give the money to Ukraine

Note that while the USA was one of the originators and a signer of the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea, the US Senate has never ratified that agreement, so it remains legally non-binding to the USA. The USA has not agreed to recognize ships flags and maritime law. To do so would be inconvenient as to exercising force on the seas, e.g., against flags of convenience.