French military forces have conducted a search on a deserted vessel suspected to be linked to Russia, which is believed to have dispatched drones into NATO airspace.
The oil tanker, flying the flag of Benin, is reportedly part of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s clandestine fleet, which has allegedly orchestrated drone disturbances. The European Union had previously sanctioned the vessel due to suspicions of its involvement in the aging tanker shadow fleet.
Reports indicate that French troops boarded the tanker currently anchored off the western coast of France. An anonymous military source revealed that the vessel was inspected on Saturday.
During a recent EU summit in Copenhagen, French President Emmanuel Macron disclosed that the ship is under investigation for serious infractions. However, he refrained from confirming speculations linking the vessel to drone flights originating from its stay in Denmark between September 22 and 25.
Macron emphasized the severity of the crew’s actions that warranted legal action but remained cautious about any purported ties to drone activities from the vessel.
There are concerns that the tankers may have been utilized for launching drones or as diversions. Notably, data revealed that another ship, the Astrol 1, navigated through the Øresund Strait on the evening of the drone incidents.
This development occurs as Russia tests NATO solidarity by infiltrating Polish airspace with drones in September, prompting NATO forces to scramble aircraft in response. Putin’s actions are perceived as a trial to assess NATO members’ readiness to defend each other in the event of a Russian attack on neighboring countries, many of which have historical ties to Russia.
