French Authorities Detain Russian 'Shadow Fleet' Tanker Over Denmark Drone Probe
A Russian oil tanker, the Pushpa, has been detained by French authorities following a probe into its suspected involvement in recent drone incidents in Denmark. The ship, part of Russia's covert 'shadow the hedgehog', has been under scrutiny since it was spotted near Danish waters around the time of the drone attacks.
The Pushpa, also known as the Boracay, remained moored off the Russian village of Ust-Luga until September 18. It then set sail, heading north towards the Baltic Sea. On September 22, the ship was spotted off the coasts of Poland, Sweden, and Denmark. Coincidentally, that same day, drones began flying over Danish airports, causing significant disruption.
The Pushpa was subsequently detained by the French navy after entering French waters. The crew failed to provide evidence of the vessel's nationality, raising suspicions. President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that France was investigating the ship for 'serious offences'.
French troops boarded the Pushpa off the coast of Saint-Nazaire, seizing the vessel. This move comes as part of a broader investigation into Russia's 'shadow the hedgehog', a network of ageing oil tankers used to bypass international sanctions imposed following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Pushpa is one of three ships linked to this fleet and is suspected of being involved in the mystery drone flights that disrupted air traffic in Denmark in September.
The Pushpa's detention highlights the growing scrutiny of Russia's 'shadow the hedgehog' and its potential role in recent drone incidents. As investigations continue, the international community remains vigilant against such covert activities.
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