French authorities have escalated their efforts to combat vessels allegedly assisting Russia in evading Western oil sanctions. The oil tanker “Grinch,” suspected of belonging to Russia’s shadow fleet, was intercepted and escorted to the Gulf of Fos, with its Indian captain taken into custody. The operation, involving marine commandos and occurring in the Alboran Sea with allied support, triggered nautical and aerial exclusion zones. This marks the second such action in weeks, following the interception of the “Boracay” in September, indicating France’s intent to increase pressure on the ghost fleet and impede Russia’s ability to fund its war.
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The French navy responded to multiple drone incursions over a sensitive military site in Brittany, France. The Île Longue submarine base, which houses nuclear submarines critical to France’s defense, was targeted. Military officials reported the detection of five drones on Thursday night, prompting navy troops to open fire. The status of the drones, whether they were successfully downed, is currently unknown.
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A French Navy frigate is currently tracking a surfaced Russian submarine off the coast of Brittany, as confirmed by NATO Maritime Command. The submarine is believed to be the Novorossiysk, a Project 636.3 Improved Kilo II-class vessel from Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, known for its previous operations in the Mediterranean. This monitoring is part of NATO’s ongoing maritime surveillance in the North Atlantic, a regular practice. Recent reports suggest a potential diesel fuel leak on the Novorossiysk, though the extent of the damage remains unconfirmed.
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John Q. Hosedrinker