Macron Escalates Maritime Pressure on Russia’s Shadow Fleet

France’s decision to board a Russia-linked oil tanker in the Atlantic marks a significant escalation in Europe’s campaign against Moscow’s so-called shadow fleet, a sprawling network of ageing vessels used to move crude oil around sanctions regimes and keep Kremlin revenues flowing despite Western restrictions.

In a statement posted on Sunday, Emmanuel Macron said the French Navy had boarded the Madagascar registered tanker Tagor on the high seas with support from several allies, including the United Kingdom. The vessel was…