On Tuesday, France released the oil tanker 'Grinch', which had been detained on suspicion of being part of Russia's 'shadow fleet', according to French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. The ship was released after its owner paid a fine amounting to several million euros. The French navy, in collaboration with allies, intercepted the 'Grinch' in the Mediterranean last month and escorted it to port for further inspections, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding maritime security in relation to Russian interests.

The 'Grinch' was reportedly sailing from Murmansk under a false flag of the Comoros Islands, raising suspicions about its true ownership and operational intentions. Barrot emphasized the seriousness of circumventing European sanctions, indicating that such actions come at a significant cost. He stated that Russia will no longer be able to finance its war efforts unpunished through shadow fleets operating near European coasts, underlining France's commitment to tightening enforcement of sanctions against Russia.

The relevant prosecutorial and regional authorities revealed that the company owning the tanker had admitted guilt, leading the court to impose a fine. Additionally, the company has announced plans to re-register the ship, which signals potential future operations under a different flag, though continued scrutiny is likely as international tensions remain high. Monitoring websites that track tanker movements noted that the ship was still active around midday today, indicating its continued presence in the region despite the legal proceedings.