France intercepts shadow fleet tanker off Sicily, Macron says
France says its forces intercepted the Russian shadow fleet oil tanker Deliver off the coast of Sicily, a date-stamped move after the UK’s interception of the tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel. The Cameroonian-flagged Deliver has transported Russian oil since 2024, using opaque ownership and flags of convenience to conceal cargo origin and bypass sanctions. Macron framed the operation as proof Europe will persist in enforcing sanctions and combating the shadow fleet’s role in funding Russia’s war.