French military officers boarded a tanker that is part of Russia’s ” shadow fleet ” and arrested two crew members. The vessel, which was off the coast of France, was allegedly linked to recent drone flights over Denmark, The Telegraph reports.
Denmark called the incursions an “extremely serious attack” on critical infrastructure, as they disrupted air traffic and forced the closure of Copenhagen airport. Russia, for its part, denies involvement.
What is known about this tanker?
The Benin-flagged tanker has been blacklisted by the European Union as part of a Russian “shadow fleet” of oil tankers used to evade sanctions. The vessel, known by various names including Boracay, Pushpa and Kiwala, has been anchored off the western port of Saint-Nazaire for several days. French President Emmanuel Macron said the tanker was being investigated for “serious violations.”
The local prosecutor’s office said an investigation was launched after the crew failed to provide proof of the vessel’s nationality and refused to follow orders.
The Kremlin said it knew nothing about the vessel, but added that the Russian military sometimes has to “act to restore order” when foreign powers carry out what Putin’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov called “provocative actions.”
How has the tanker been performing lately?
The tanker was heading from the Russian port of Primorsk to India, The Wall Street Journal reports. The ship was heading south through the Bay of Biscay, but then turned east and headed for Saint-Nazaire, home to Europe’s largest shipyard.
Earlier, during the voyage, the ship passed by Denmark around the same time as the drone attacks began – on the evening of 22 September. This aroused suspicions among investigators. Macron said that he would not comment on whether the ship was connected to the drone operations that paralysed the work of Danish airports for several days and forced the country to go into high alert mode.
“Everything we can find out and clarify after the drone attack on Denmark, we will do, rest assured,” he said on the eve of a meeting of European leaders in Copenhagen.
Incidents with “unknown” drones over Europe
UNIAN previously reported on what is behind the drone invasion of Denmark and what Ukraine is doing here. In particular, it is important to remember that Denmark is among the most determined supporters of Ukraine: it gave all its artillery to Kyiv, increased military spending, and constantly calls on its allies to unite decisively against Moscow.
In addition, we also said that it is difficult for Europe to agree on a common defence, despite the “hybrid attacks” of the Russian Federation. Years after the start of a full-scale war, Europe’s defense has not been built.
УНІАН
