Kremlin likened France’s seizure of a sanctioned tanker to piracy

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has called France's detention of a sanctioned Russian tanker unlawful, stating it borders on "piracy".

"We consider such actions [the detention of the Russian shadow fleet tanker – ed.] unlawful; they border on international piracy. We absolutely disagree that they are carried out in full compliance with international law," Peskov said, as quoted by Russian outlet Interfax.

The Kremlin spokesman added that Russia is taking measures to protect its cargo vessels and "will continue to do so in light of this negative experience".

On the morning of 1 June, French President Emmanuel Macron announced the detention the previous day of the Russian oil tanker Tagor, which is subject to Western sanctions. The detention took place in the Atlantic Ocean in international waters, with the support of a number of partners, including the United Kingdom.

In early May, the Swedish Coast Guard detained a sanctioned vessel near the coast of Trelleborg.