French Navy Seizes Russian Shadow‑Fleet Tanker 'Grinch' in Mediterranean Crackdown
The French Navy seized the Russian oil tanker Grinch in the Mediterranean as part of an escalation by Western allies to crack down on a “shadow fleet” moving sanctioned Russian oil. The vessel, identified as part of a network of more than 1,000 ships, had departed Murmansk in early January, sailed near Turkey’s Black Sea coast and appeared headed for the Suez Canal when it was intercepted.
📌 Key Facts
- The tanker Grinch is classified as a 'shadow tanker' operating within a network of more than 1,000 ships that move sanctioned Russian oil.
- The ship was carrying Russian oil when it was seized.
- The Grinch departed Murmansk in early January.
- Before the seizure it had sailed near Turkey’s Black Sea coast.
- At the time of the seizure the vessel appeared to be heading toward the Suez Canal.
- The action has been framed as an escalation of Western efforts to stamp out the Russian oil smuggling network.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
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January 23, 2026
3:52 PM
Crackdown on Shadow Fleet Escalates With Seizure of Ship Carrying Russian Oil
New information:
- Confirms the Grinch is considered a 'shadow tanker' in a network of more than 1,000 ships moving sanctioned Russian oil.
- Details its recent voyage: departed Murmansk in early January, previously sailed near Turkey’s Black Sea coast, and appeared to be heading toward the Suez Canal when seized.
- Frames the action explicitly as an escalation of Western efforts to stamp out the Russian oil smuggling network.