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French authorities have charged the captain of the oil tanker Boracay, linked to Russia’s shadow fleet used to evade sanctions. The Chinese captain faces charges for refusing to follow French navy orders and must attend a court hearing in Brest in February. The tanker was seized near France after carrying Russian oil and changing flags to avoid sanctions. It was off Denmark’s coast when drones caused airport closures. The Boracay left Russia in September and was headed to India. The French navy boarded it because it was on the EU sanctions list. The captain could not explain the ship’s flag, and the second captain was released. Russia denies knowledge of the ship. France calls the shadow fleet a way for Russia to bypass energy sanctions amid the Ukraine conflict. The tanker is now anchored near Saint-Nazaire port in France. (Updated 3 Oct 2025, 00:51 IST; source: link)