On October 13, 2026, the French military detained the oil tanker DF Peak, flying the flag of Benin, south of Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean. The interception occurred following a document check that confirmed suspicions of illegal flag usage.
Details of the Tanker Detention
The DF Peak tanker was intercepted by French military forces at the request of the prosecutor's office. After the detention, the vessel was directed to a mooring location off the coast of Réunion for further inspection. This incident marks yet another episode in France's efforts to combat illegal operations associated with Russia's shadow fleet.
Previous Tanker Detentions
This is not the first instance of French military detaining tankers linked to Russia's shadow fleet. Earlier, the following tankers were detained:
- Boracay (September 2025)
- Grinch (January 2026)
- Deyna (March 2026)
- Tagor (May 2026)
- Deliver (June 2026)
All these tankers were eventually released after paying fines, highlighting the active role of French law enforcement in this area.