French forces, alongside their allies, intercepted a tanker transporting oil last month between Spain and Morocco after it began its journey from Russia, escorting it to a port near southern Marseille. The ship was reported to be sailing under the Comoros flag, and it raised suspicions of engaging in oil trade that could support Russia's financing of its military actions. In a public statement, French Foreign Minister Jean Noels Barrot noted that the tanker 'Grinch' was leaving French waters after paying a multi-million euro fine and spending three costly weeks in the Fos-sur-Mer port, emphasizing that avoiding European sanctions carries significant consequences.