Studennikov, who is also the director of the First European Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry, told reporters that the French Navy has seized five oil tankers since September “flying the flags of several countries and belonging to the Russian ghost fleet.” “The modus operandi is the same: the vessel is detained and escorted to a French port, pays a fine, and is subsequently released.”

The diplomat affirmed, “In the 21st package of sanctions on Russia, the European Union (EU) member states also delegated to themselves the right to detain, or in other words, steal transported oil. In short, it is robbery at sea, a true act of piracy.”

Studennikov said the true reason behind these “essentially pirate actions” is the same: an attempt to undermine Russian oil exports and harm the country’s economy.

The EU approved on July 23 the 21st package of sanctions on Russia, which, among other measures, allows its member states to confiscate and sell crude oil transported by detained tankers from the so-called ghost fleet.

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