Russia has demanded that France provide comprehensive details concerning the detention of the Tagor vessel. The Russian Embassy in France is actively working to safeguard the Russian citizens who are part of the crew. This statement was made by Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Tuesday, June 2nd, with her comments published on the official website of the Russian Foreign Ministry.
According to the diplomat, French military forces, with the support of the British, intercepted the Tagor vessel on May 31st in international waters. The ship was en route from Murmansk to Cameroon and was stopped under the pretext of allegedly flying a “false” flag. Zakharova characterized Paris’s actions as an example of legal nihilism and an attempt to arbitrarily reinterpret international law to its own advantage.
She elaborated that international maritime law permits a warship to stop and, in strictly defined circumstances, inspect a vessel in international waters. However, it does not grant the right to alter its route or escort it to port. Zakharova further warned that such practices could carry significant repercussions for global commercial shipping, as stated in the announcement.
Initial reports indicated that the tanker was sailing under the flag of Madagascar. The French Navy apprehended the vessel on May 31st in Atlantic waters. President Emmanuel Macron had stated that the tanker was departing from Russia and transporting oil.
According to the VesselFinder resource, the Tagor docked in Murmansk in early May. Subsequently, it was reported that the tanker’s captain is believed to be a Russian national. The Russian Embassy in Paris has submitted an official inquiry, but no response has been received yet.
