French Navy, backed by U.K., intercepted sanctioned tanker from Russia: French President Emmanuel Macron

Key points

• The French Navy, with support from the United Kingdom, has intercepted an oil tanker under international sanctions that was travelling from Russia, the latest effort by nations that support Ukraine to target Russian oil exports helping to finance President Vladimir Putin's war.
• French President Emmanuel Macron announced the interception in a post on Monday (June 1, 2026) on X, saying the Tagor boarded on Sunday (May 31, 2026) in the Atlantic.
• The post included a video showing a person rappelling from a helicopter onto a ship.
• “It is unacceptable that boats skirt international sanctions, violate the law of the sea and finance the war that Russia has been waging for more than 4 years against Ukraine,” Mr. Macron wrote.
• “These ships, that don't respect the most elementary rules of maritime navigation, are also a threat to the environment and everyone's security.” Oil revenue is a key part of Russia's economy,...