Belgium seizes Russian shadow fleet tanker in first military interdiction

The vessel is being escorted to the port of Zeebrugge, where it will be confiscated. Francken said the operation, dubbed Blue Intruder, was carried out by “a group of extraordinarily brave service members.”

“Excellent work,” he wrote.

The action follows France’s release of the Russian shadow fleet tanker Grinch on Feb. 17 after detaining it in January. The Marseille prosecutor’s office said the vessel’s owner was fined under a plea agreement procedure known as CRPC but did not disclose the amount.

The tanker was detained on Jan. 22 with support from the United Kingdom near Spain after a document check confirmed suspicions that it was sailing under a false flag. The ship is part of Russia’s shadow fleet and is subject to European Union and United Kingdom sanctions.

Later, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, informed him of plans to release the tanker due to requirements under national legislation.