French naval personnel have boarded a Russia-linked oil tanker suspected of being used to launch drone flights that disrupted airports in Denmark last month.
The vessel, identified as the Boracay and long associated with Russia’s so-called ‘shadow fleet’, was intercepted on Sunday while carrying 750,000 barrels of crude oil from Primorsk, near St Petersburg, to Vadinar in India.
It was diverted to Saint-Nazaire in western France for investigation after prosecutors in Brest opened a case into its “failure to justify the nationality of the vessel” and its “refusal to cooperate”.
The French president, Emmanuel Macron, welcomed the move, calling the probe a “good thing”. The Kremlin, meanwhile, said it had no information about the tanker.
The Boracay has repeatedly changed names and registrations, sailing under its previous name Pushpa around Denmark during the 22 and 24 September drone sightings that forced the temporary closure of Copenhagen and Aalborg airports.
Experts have suggested large fixed-wing drones may have been launched from ships near Danish waters, though responsibility has not been confirmed.
Danish media have also pointed to two other commercial ships, the Astrol-1 and Oslo Carrier-3 and filmed the Russian warship Aleksandr Shabalin near Langeland in the Baltic.
German officials reported similar incursions over Schleswig-Holstein, with reconnaissance drones flying over military and infrastructure sites.
Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen described the incidents as part of a “hybrid war”, saying: “From a European perspective, there is only one country that is willing to threaten us, and it is Russia.”
The EU will address the threat at a summit in Copenhagen on Thursday, where leaders are expected to discuss plans for a joint “drone wall”.
Several European countries, including the UK, have already deployed anti-drone systems to Denmark.
The Boracay is subject to sanctions from the UK and EU and has been repeatedly cited as part of Russia’s shadow fleet; a network of vessels with murky ownership structures used to transport oil in breach of restrictions.
In April, when operating under yet another name, Kiwala, the tanker was briefly detained in Estonia over registry irregularities before being released.
Uzbekistan could lose up to $1.5 billion if escalating Middle East tensions disrupt vital trade and logistics routes through Iran, putting pressure...
Pakistan is turning to more U.S. crude as disruption around the Strait of Hormuz exposes the risks of its heavy reliance on Gulf energy supplies....
Russian opposition politician Lev Shlosberg has been sentenced to 11 years and one month in a penal colony after being convicted of criticising Rus...
At least 11 people were killed in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon on Saturday, among the deadliest since a June ceasefire. Meanwhile, Qatar denied holding Iranian pilots. It said it had found the remains of one pilot after an airspace violation and had contacted Iran to coordinate a handover.
U.S. President Donald Trump says Washington is not seeking an extension of its memorandum of understanding with Iran, claiming the U.S. already controls the Strait of Hormuz through its naval blockade.
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils the terms of an interim deal, including lifting the maritime blockade and sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen assets.
South Korea's presidential Blue House said on Monday it was reviewing U.S. President Donald Trump's comments on scaling back joint military drills. It added that it hoped a favourable relationship between Washington and Pyongyang could lead to meaningful talks.
Ukraine has targeted at least 20 Wildberries warehouses across Russia since 18 July, disrupting a major logistics network. Kyiv says the strikes aim to disrupt alleged military-linked supplies, while the attacks have caused billions of dollars in losses and wider economic pressure.
Britain will continue to support Ukraine “100 per cent” against Russia’s invasion, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Tuesday, after Moscow warned London of consequences over reports that British-made drones had been used in strikes on Russian territory.
Russia has summoned Japan’s ambassador to Moscow and delivered a strong protest over what it called “anti-Russian” remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi concerning four disputed islands.
Pakistan is turning to more U.S. crude as disruption around the Strait of Hormuz exposes the risks of its heavy reliance on Gulf energy supplies.
U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) Commander Xavier Brunson visited South Korea's Defence Ministry on Tuesday to discuss plans to scale back the joint Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercise, according to media reports.
European countries are stepping up investment in drones and counter-drone technology as unmanned systems reshape modern warfare, driving demand for new production and capabilities across the continent.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment