France monitors Russian ghost fleet tanker Pushpa off Saint-Nazaire
The Russian-linked oil tanker Pushpa, also known as Boracay, has been under close French surveillance since September 28, when it was detected loitering just outside French territorial waters off Saint-Nazaire in the Atlantic Ocean. The vessel, measuring 244 meters in length, is suspected of belonging to the so-called Russian ghost fleet, which Moscow uses to bypass international sanctions and continue crude oil exports.
French authorities confirmed that the tanker was boarded on September 28. A naval inspection team carried out an arraisonnement, while the Brest prosecutor’s office opened an official investigation for “failure to justify nationality” and “refusal to comply.” The ship’s captain and first officer were taken ashore and placed in custody for questioning by the gendarmerie maritime.
President Emmanuel Macron, speaking during a European summit in Copenhagen, justified France’s response, citing “very serious faults committed by the crew.” However, he remained cautious regarding suspicions that the Pushpa was involved in drone operations over Denmark on September 22.
Suspicions of drone operations and ghost fleet activities
The vessel’s movements add to suspicions. According to vessel tracking data, the Pushpa departed from Primorsk, Russia, on September 20, and was in Danish waters on September 22 — the same day drones disrupted air traffic over Copenhagen. Analysts suggest the tanker could have been used as a “launch platform” or a decoy for drone operations.
French military sources confirmed that the tanker’s AIS (Automatic Identification System) was switched off during critical periods, raising further concerns about covert activities.
The Pushpa has a complex past. It has previously sailed under multiple names, including Varuna and Kiwala, and carried flags from Djibouti, Gabon, the Marshall Islands, and Mongolia. The vessel now operates under the Benin flag, although questions remain about its legitimacy. In April, Estonian authorities detained the ship for inspection, uncovering more than 40 violations.
The European Union and the United Kingdom have sanctioned the tanker as part of measures against Russia’s shadow fleet, estimated to comprise nearly 900 vessels transporting oil for Russia, Iran, and North Korea. These tankers often operate under flags of convenience and through shell companies, complicating enforcement.
Strategic concerns for Europe
The Pushpa’s unexpected stop near French waters has fueled debates within Europe. While its official destination was Vadinar, India, where it was expected in late October, the tanker diverted course and remained idle for days near Saint-Nazaire. Analysts note that the operating costs of such large tankers make extended idling unusual, prompting further suspicion.
European lawmakers, including French MEP Nathalie Loiseau, accuse Moscow of using ghost fleet vessels not only for sanctions evasion but also for hybrid intimidation tactics. Some are suspected of interfering with subsea infrastructure, including submarine internet cables in the Baltic Sea.
For now, French investigators continue searching for evidence linking the tanker directly to drone operations. The case underscores Europe’s growing concern over Russia’s ghost fleet and the potential hybrid threats posed by its activities near European waters.
