France Intercepts Russia-Bound Cargo Ship In The English Channel

The French navy has reportedly intercepted a Russian Cargo ship, the 'Baltic Leader' in the English channel.

The boat was said to be headed to Saint Petersburg and was intercepted in line with the new European Union (EU) sanctions.

Sanctions were imposed on Russia by the EU and G7 countries following president Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

The ship was scheduled to reach St Petersburg on March 3 but was redirected to a port in Boulogne-Sur-Mer, France, BBC News reports.

According to an anonymous official, the 127m Russian cargo ship was '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'.

They added that French border forces were investigating the cargo ship and the crew were cooperating with French authorities.

Russia's embassy in Paris is said to be questioning why the ship was seized, per the Russian RIA news agency.

The interception comes a day after the EU and G7 members imposed a package of economic sanctions against Russia, in a show of support for Ukraine.

The sanctions include limiting Russia's ability to operate as part of the global economy, including sanctions on Russian oligarchs as well as financial sanctions, as per Al Jazeera.

Speaking of the EU's sanctions, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said, 'We are hitting Putin’s system where it has to be hit, not only economically and financially, but also at the heart of its power.'

Baerbock went on to say, 'We are not just listing oligarchs... but we are now also listing the president, Mr Putin, and the foreign minister, Mr Lavrov.'

UK prime minister Boris Johnson also commented on the sanctions imposed, thanking the UK's financial services sector for helping ensure that 'robust and effective' sanctions were implemented against Russia.

Further economic sanctions are being considered as Putin's invasion of Ukraine continues.

Today, February 26, marks the third day of the war, with 198 people reported to have been killed and 1,000 wounded in Ukraine.

Health Minister of Ukraine, Viktor Lyashko reported the number, with three children said to be among the fatalities, despite Putin saying that only military would be targeted.

If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information