Russia calls French seizure of oil tanker DF Peak "piracy" and violation of international law

The Russian Embassy in France condemned the French Navy's seizure of the oil tanker DF Peak as piracy and a "blatant violation of international law." France announced on October 12, 2026 that its navy intercepted and boarded the vessel 450 nautical miles south of Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean. Paris maintains the operation followed international maritime law, citing suspicions of a false flag and "illicit fuel transportation" linked to Russia's shadow fleet. Moscow states France provided no notification and considers the high seas boarding illegal. The DF Peak, previously named Kaliningrad and NS Captain, is a crude oil tanker connected to Sovcomflot that sailed under a Benin flag Western intelligence considers fraudulent. The vessel remains under French naval escort.