Captain of tanker linked to Russian 'shadow fleet' charged in France

The French authorities have charged the Chinese captain of a tanker linked to Russia's "shadow fleet" with refusing to follow naval instructions while operating the vessel. The tanker, which is suspected of being involved in the transportation of Russian oil, was seized by French authorities in October 2022 as part of the European Union's sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. The captain is accused of not complying with instructions from the French navy during the seizure operation. The charges come as Western countries continue to crack down on the transport of Russian oil, which is a crucial source of revenue for the Kremlin. The so-called "shadow fleet" refers to a network of ships that are believed to be transporting Russian oil in an effort to evade sanctions. The case highlights the ongoing efforts by the international community to disrupt Russia's ability to generate income from its oil exports, which have been a significant source of funding for the country's military operations in Ukraine.