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4w ago

Belgium Intercepts Suspected Russian ‘Ghost Fleet’ Tanker in North Sea With French Support

The operation signals a coordinated European push to enforce sanctions by targeting opaque tankers that fund Moscow’s war.

L'Ethera, un pétrolier de la "flotte fantôme" russe, a été saisi par les forces spéciales belges, est escorté vers le port de Zeebruges, le 1er mars 2026
Le port de Zeebruges, en Belgique, où le pétrolier de la «flotte fantôme» russe va être escorté.
Le pétrolier Ethera, appartenant à la "flotte fantôme russe", a été saisi par les forces spéciales belges en Mer du Nord et est escorté jusqu'au port de Zeebruges, le 1er mars 2026
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Overview

  • Belgian special forces boarded the tanker overnight from February 28 to March 1 in the North Sea, according to Vice Prime Minister Maxime Prévot.
  • The vessel is being escorted to the port of Zeebruges, where Belgian authorities intend to seize it, Defence Minister Theo Francken said.
  • President Emmanuel Macron said French Navy helicopters assisted the Belgian boarding of a tanker under international sanctions.
  • Belgium said the action was conducted with G7 partners and coordinated with Nordic and Baltic countries as well as France.
  • EU authorities have blacklisted hundreds of aging, opaquely owned tankers linked to Russian oil exports to curb wartime revenues, and Belgian officials suggested the ship may have been sailing under a false flag.