French Navy Investigates Russian Tanker Linked to Drone Flights

On October 1, the French navy conducted an operation involving the Boracay, a tanker identified as part of Russia's elusive shadow fleet, which is known for circumventing Western sanctions. The operation took place off the western coast of France and follows recent maneuvers of the tanker, which had been spotted off the Danish coast during a spate of drone incidents that raised security concerns in the region. According to reports by Agence France-Presse (AFP), ship tracking data revealed that the Benin-flagged Boracay had been stationed off Denmark from September 22 to 25, coinciding with a series of mysterious drone flights over Danish military installations. These incidents led to the temporary closure of several airports and prompted the Danish authorities to initiate a ban on civilian drone flights until Friday. French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged the serious offenses committed by the Boracay's crew, indicating that the country was conducting a thorough investigation. However, he refrained from directly linking the tanker to the drone activities that had stirred air traffic disruptions in Denmark. "There were some very serious offenses committed by this crew that justify the current judicial procedure," Macron stated during an EU leaders summit in Copenhagen. The ship, built in 2007 and previously known as Pushpa and Kiwala, has been anchored near Saint-Nazaire for several days, raising alarms across Europe. The Maritime Executive, a specialized website, suggested that the Boracay might have been used as both a launch platform for drones or as a decoy amidst the drone activity in Denmark. While these claims have surfaced, Macron remained cautious, stating it was not his place to definitively connect the Boracay with the drone flights. The ongoing investigation highlights the broader European efforts to dismantle Russia's shadow fleet. The European Union has designated numerous aging tankers, including the Boracay, as part of its sanctions regime against Russia, in an attempt to halt the flow of oil exports following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The Boracay was blacklisted by the EU in February under its previous name, Kiwala. The French prosecutors in Brest have initiated an investigation following the navy's report that the crew did not adequately justify the ship's nationality and demonstrated a refusal to cooperate with authorities. Tracking data indicates the Boracay departed from the Russian port of Primorsk on September 20 and is set to arrive at its destination port in Vadinar, India, by October 20. According to Macron, the shadow fleet, estimated to encompass between 600 and 1,000 vessels, represents tens of billions of euros in Russia's budget and forms a substantial part of the country's war efforts. As the investigation unfolds, the implications of the French navy's findings could resonate not just within France but across the continent, illustrating the complicated interplay of maritime operations and geopolitical tensions surrounding Russia's ongoing conflicts. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2