A Benin-flagged oil tanker linked to Russia has resumed sailing after being stopped by the French Navy earlier this week. Maritime tracking data from MarineTraffic indicates that the vessel, named Boracay, is currently navigating the Bay of Biscay en route to the Suez Canal.
The ship had been detained while traveling from the Russian port of Primorsk, a move Russian President Vladimir Putin described as an “act of piracy.” Reports suggest the vessel was released late Thursday evening.
European Union authorities have placed the Boracay on a blacklist, alleging it is part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet.” Western governments accuse Moscow of using such tankers to evade sanctions on crude oil exports, including the EU’s price cap mechanism.
France has not officially disclosed details about the interception, but President Emmanuel Macron suggested the vessel could be connected to recent unidentified drone sightings in Northern Europe.
Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi, President Putin sharply criticized France for detaining the tanker. He argued that Paris lacked both legal grounds and jurisdiction for the seizure. He further dismissed claims of Russian ownership, calling them “questionable.”
Putin accused Macron of attempting to use anti-Russian rhetoric for political gain, likening the French leader’s actions to Napoleon’s strategy of rallying citizens during crises.
President Macron had earlier linked the tanker’s route past Denmark to mysterious drone sightings reported over sensitive sites in Denmark, Germany, and Norway. Putin rejected the allegations, stating the ship could not be carrying military equipment.
The drone issue has gained traction across Europe. This week, EU leaders met in Copenhagen to discuss a proposed “drone wall” to strengthen defenses. While European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen voiced support, the initiative quickly faced doubts over feasibility and funding.
The Kremlin has criticized Brussels for what it calls fear-based narratives aimed at justifying militarization and sustaining financial aid for Ukraine. Russian officials argue that such measures come at the expense of domestic priorities within EU member states.