French Navy boards Russia-linked tanker south of Réunion over suspected false flag, then escorts it to the island for further checks

The French Navy boarded the oil tanker DF Peak on Monday, October 12, about 450 nautical miles south of Réunion in the Indian Ocean, and began escorting it to the island for further checks, French officials said.

The French joint staff said inspectors boarded to verify the vessel’s nationality after doubts arose over its claimed registration in Benin. President Emmanuel Macron said the tanker was suspected of sailing under a false flag and transporting fuel illicitly; he also noted that it is subject to U.S., EU, U.K. and Ukrainian sanctions.

Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin said the ship was being escorted to Réunion. The Insider, an exiled outlet, reported that it was at least the sixth shadow-fleet tanker detained by French authorities over the past year.