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France Releases Captured Russian Tanker Captain Pending Mass Scale Shadow Fleet Investigation
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French authorities have released the captain of an oil tanker suspected of being part of a "shadow fleet" used to bypass international sanctions.
The Russian captain was released late Wednesday after being held for roughly 24 hours. Brest Chief Prosecutor Stéphane Kellenberger stated the release was intended to allow for the continuation of large-scale and complex judicial investigations. The vessel, named "Tagor," remains anchored in the Bay of Douarnenez in Brittany, according to Le Monde on June 4.
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The French navy intercepted the tanker on Sunday following suspicions that it was operating under a false flag. Officials noted that this marks the fourth ship seized by France since September over allegations that it belongs to a shadow fleet utilized by Russia to circumvent Western sanctions. The investigation is ongoing, as authorities work to identify the vessel's true owner.
Previously, the prosecutor indicated that the captain faced potential penalties of up to one year in prison and a fine of €150,000 ($172,875) for allegedly operating without a proper flag and refusing to comply with naval orders. It was noted that the ship's owner could face similar consequences. The Russian embassy in France had called for the immediate release of the captain.
The "Tagor" is suspected of transporting Russian or Iranian oil in violation of international sanctions. The vessel is linked to shipping magnate Mohammed Hossein Shamkhani. He is the son of Ali Shamkhani, who served as a security advisor to former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
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Both men were killed on February 28 during the opening day of the US-Israel strikes that initiated the war in the Middle East.
According to French officials, the tanker was traveling from Murmansk in northwestern Russia when the navy boarded the vessel. The ship was flying a Cameroonian flag, which authorities determined to be fraudulent, and was reportedly headed toward Limbe in western Cameroon.
European governments initially struggled to address the risks posed by the shadow fleet, with experts noting that Baltic Sea nations often failed to prioritize environmental protection or the safeguarding of critical infrastructure.
Estonia alone suffered at least €200 million ($232 million) in damages from incidents involving power cables and data lines, yet security concerns persisted as these critical connections continued to break. Eventually, 14 countries issued a joint warning letter on January 27, 2026, which called for significantly tighter control over the Russian vessels operating in the region.
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