France Seizes Russian Cargo Ship In Channel

Paris, Feb 26: The French navy has intercepted a cargo ship in the English channel bound for the Russian city of St Petersburg, the BBC has reported. The Russian embassy in France has sought explanations from the French authorities over the seizure, Russia’s RIA news agency said.

French officials told the BBC that the ship was intercepted in line with new European Union sanctions and said it has been redirected to the northern port of Boulogne-Sur-Mer. “A 127m-long Russia cargo ship called the ‘Baltic Leader’ transporting cars has been intercepted overnight by the French Navy in the Channel and escorted to the Port of Boulogne-Sur-Mer in Northern France,” the official said.

“It has been taken to the French port after a request by the French government because it is suspected of belonging to a company targeted by EU sanctions against Moscow. “French border forces are currently investigating the cargo ship. Crew aboard the ‘Baltic Leader’ has been cooperating with French authorities.”