A tanker from the Russian shadow fleet is suspected of involvement in drone attacks on Europe

Suspicions Regarding the Tanker off the Coast of France

A tanker associated with Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” has come under suspicion for involvement in drone attacks on Europe. The vessel was near the coast of France, where its crew was detained.

This information came from The Telegraph. The tanker under the Benin flag has become a target on the European Union’s blacklist. The vessel, known by various names — Boracay, Pushpa, or Kiwala, is used to circumvent sanctions.

The Tanker’s Route and Its Interaction with Drone Attacks

The tanker was heading from the Russian port of Primorsk to India, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. The vessel was moving south through the Bay of Biscay but unexpectedly turned east towards Saint-Nazaire, where a significant European shipyard is located. During its voyage, an interesting situation occurred: near Denmark, the ship was passing at the same time when drone attacks began — on the evening of September 22, which attracted the attention of investigators.

After the tanker was anchored for several days near Saint-Nazaire, French military boarded and arrested two crew members. The prosecutor’s office reported that an investigation has been initiated, as the crew could not provide proof of the vessel’s ownership and refused to comply with demands.

Commentary from the French President and the Kremlin’s Reaction

French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that an investigation into serious violations is underway, but declined to comment on the connection between the tanker and the drone flights, which paralyzed the operation of Danish airports for several days. He noted that all possible efforts will be made to clarify the circumstances.

The Kremlin, in turn, emphasized that they are unaware of this vessel, while indicating that Russian military may respond to “provocations” from foreign states.

Threats to Danish Aviation

Danish authorities temporarily closed several airports on September 25 due to reports of drones. The operation of Aalborg Airport was suspended, and airports in Billund, Esbjerg, Sønderborg, and Skrydstrup in the south of the country were affected. Aalborg resumed its activities already on Thursday morning.

As noted by Politico, police in the southern regions recorded several drones over Esbjerg, Sønderborg, and Skrydstrup, but they could neither be shot down nor the operators tracked. The closure of the three mentioned airports did not take place. Skrydstrup is an airbase where Danish F-16 and F-35 are stationed. One of the main cargo hubs — Billund — was in “idle mode” for only about an hour.

Reaction of International Partners

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated that she does not rule out possible Russian involvement, describing the events as a serious challenge to critical infrastructure. Estonia and Poland initiated urgent consultations in NATO. Meanwhile, Moscow denies any responsibility for the incidents that occurred both in Estonia and Poland.