French authorities have taken the unprecedented step of arresting the captain and first officer of a Russian-linked oil tanker, suspected of being part of the so-called “shadow fleet” that helps Moscow skirt Western sanctions. The operation unfolded earlier this week off the coast of Saint-Nazaire in western France, as French naval commandos boarded the 800-foot vessel—known alternately as Pushpa or Boracay and flying the flag of Benin—after it was blacklisted by the European Union for its connection to Russia’s clandestine shipping network.
The arrest, which took place on October 2, 2025, follows a week of mounting security concerns across northern Europe. Danish authorities had reported a series of drone incursions beginning September 22, 2025, causing the closure of several airports and sparking fears of a hybrid attack on critical infrastructure. According to POLITICO and The Express, the Boracay was operating off Denmark’s coastline during the drone incidents, leading investigators to probe whether the ship served as a launchpad for the mysterious aerial activity.
Stephane Kellenberger, the prosecutor in the western French city of Brest, told reporters that the two detained crew members are accused of failing to prove the ship’s nationality and disobeying orders. Their detention was extended as the investigation developed. "Thanks to our navy commandos and to the crews of the French navy who intervened this weekend on board a Russian shadow fleet tanker, currently anchored off Saint-Nazaire, their action contributed to the arrest of two members of its crew," French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu wrote on X (Twitter), underscoring the significance of the operation.
The vessel’s murky history has only fueled suspicions. Over the years, it has changed names and flags multiple times—a tactic that maritime analysts say is typical of ships involved in sanction evasion. The tanker departed from Russia’s Primorsk terminal on the Baltic Sea in September, initially bound for India’s Vadinar port, but was diverted and later intercepted by French forces. According to shipping records cited by Marine Traffic and The Express, the ship had been anchored more than 50 kilometers outside the Port of Saint-Nazaire since September 28, 2025.
The European Union has blacklisted vessels like Boracay/Pushpa in a bid to choke off revenue that could fund Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking at an EU summit in Copenhagen, directly linked the ship to Russia’s effort to circumvent sanctions. "There were some very serious wrongdoings made by this crew, which is why there are legal proceedings in the case," Macron stated. He praised the French authorities’ "intervention," adding, "I think it’s a good thing that this work has been done and that we’ve been able to stop it."
The so-called shadow fleet is estimated to comprise between 600 and 1,000 aging ships, according to Macron, and is believed to account for tens of billions of euros in Russia’s budget—financing up to 40 percent of its war effort. These vessels often operate with limited transparency, conduct ship-to-ship transfers, conceal the origins of their cargo, and use shell companies to obscure ownership. Their primary mission: to deliver Russian crude oil to markets in Asia, Africa, and beyond while sidestepping Western restrictions.
While French officials have yet to release conclusive evidence tying the Boracay/Pushpa directly to the drone operations over Denmark, the timing and location of the vessel have raised red flags. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, when questioned about potential links, declined to comment on specifics but acknowledged that the region has long been "facing a lot of problems with the shadow fleet." She added, "We are working very closely together to battle this situation." French officials echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for international cooperation in tackling sanction evasion and hybrid threats.
The drone incursions, described by Denmark’s defense minister as a "hybrid attack" orchestrated by a "professional actor," caused chaos across Danish airports and heightened concerns about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure. Related drone sightings have since been reported in Norway and northern Germany, with German State Interior Minister Sabine Sütterlin-Waack confirming investigations into drone-like aircraft observed above key military and civilian installations.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has also weighed in, claiming that Russian tankers are being used to launch and control drones against European countries. "This is further evidence that the Baltic Sea and other seas should be closed to Russian tankers, at least for the shadow fleet," Zelensky asserted, as quoted by The Express.
The Brest prosecutor’s office has opened a judicial investigation into the Boracay/Pushpa’s crew for "refusal to cooperate" and "failure to justify the nationality of the vessel." Under international maritime law, such infractions are considered serious, especially in the context of heightened regional tensions. French naval forces reportedly boarded the ship twice—first to secure it and then to provide food and fuel to the remaining crew, ensuring their welfare during the ongoing legal proceedings.
The Kremlin, for its part, has distanced itself from the controversy. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia had "no information about the ship," while Russian officials criticized what they described as provocative measures against vessels linked to their country. This cautious response reflects the broader geopolitical stakes at play, as maritime enforcement increasingly intersects with questions of national security, energy flows, and unconventional warfare.
For now, the two detained crew members remain in French custody as prosecutors continue their inquiry. Authorities are expected to scrutinize not only potential violations of sanctions but also any security threats related to the recent drone incidents. The case has drawn international attention, with European governments watching closely to see whether this action sets a new precedent for how the continent responds to sanction evasion and evolving maritime threats.
The Pushpa/Boracay affair has thrust the shadowy world of sanction-busting tankers into the spotlight, highlighting the complex interplay between commercial shipping and global security. As investigations proceed, the outcome could reshape how Europe polices its waters—and how it counters the unconventional tactics now defining twenty-first-century conflict.
