Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleFrance announced on Thursday that its navy intercepted a Russian 'shadow fleet' oil tanker near the coast of Sicily. President Emmanuel Macron stated the interception occurred on Tuesday and accused Russia of using the vessel to bypass Western sanctions. Macron emphasised that this action, following a similar British operation, demonstrates European resolve against Russia's war financing. This marks at least the fifth such interception by France of old vessels used by Russia to ship oil and gas and circumvent sanctions. Moscow has consistently labelled these interceptions as illegal. In fullUkraine-Russia war latest: French navy intercepts Russian shadow fleet tanker off coast of Sicily, says MacronThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

It comes after the UK announced earlier this month that it had intercepted and boarded the Russian shadow fleet tanker "Smyrtos" in the English Channel. #EuropeNews

MARSEILLE: France detained a Russia-linked oil tanker off the coast of Sicily earlier this week, President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday. “On Tuesday, the French navy boarded the…