PARIS (AP) — French authorities announced on Tuesday the release of a tanker, known as the Grinch, which was intercepted in the Mediterranean Sea last month. The ship is suspected of being part of Russia's sanctioned shadow fleet involved in transporting oil in violation of international sanctions. This incident highlights ongoing efforts by European nations to crack down on evasion tactics used by Russia amidst the conflict in Ukraine.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot took to social media platform X to state that the Grinch would be leaving French waters after fulfilling a financial penalty that amounted to "several million euros" and after enduring "three weeks of costly immobilization." Barrot emphasized, "Circumventing European sanctions comes at a price. Russia will no longer be able to finance its war with impunity through a ghost fleet off our coasts."

Last month, the French military intervened to divert the Grinch and subsequently anchored it at the port of Fos-sur-Mer as part of an investigation linked to allegations of the vessel failing to fly a valid flag. The crew, all of Indian nationality, remained aboard during this period of scrutiny. In a joint statement, the Marseille prosecutor's office and regional maritime authorities informed that the company owning the ship had pleaded guilty and was issued a financial penalty in the form of a confiscation order by the Marseille judicial court. However, the exact amount of the fine was not publicly disclosed.

Estimates suggest that Russia is utilizing a fleet of over 400 vessels to bypass sanctions imposed in response to its ongoing war against Ukraine. In light of this situation, France and other countries have reinforced their commitments to combat these evasive strategies. This shadow fleet primarily consists of outdated ships and tankers owned by opaque entities and operating under the flags of countries that have not imposed sanctions against Russia.

This is not the first instance of French naval forces intercepting a Russian-affiliated oil tanker. In September 2022, French naval forces boarded another oil tanker off the French Atlantic coast, which President Emmanuel Macron also connected to the shadow fleet. In reaction to this action, Russian President Vladimir Putin labeled the interception an "act of piracy."

While investigations and legal proceedings continue, the captain of that previous tanker is set to stand trial next week concerning allegations of the crew's refusal to cooperate with authorities during the boarding process. These actions underline the heightened tensions and the legal complexities surrounding maritime operations linked to the ongoing geopolitical conflict in Ukraine.