Two Russian security operatives were reportedly on board a suspected shadow fleet tanker that was seized by French authorities in September, according to French media reports.

The men were said to be working for Moran Security Group, a private Russian firm, and were tasked with overseeing the crew and gathering intelligence. AFP cited an anonymous source familiar with the matter.

The vessel, named Boracay, is believed to be part of the so called shadow fleet - a network of aging tankers sailing under third country flags to transport Russian oil and gas while bypassing Western sanctions imposed after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

One of the two men is reportedly a former police officer who previously worked with the Wagner paramilitary group under its late leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. Moran Security Group itself was founded by former officers of Russia’s FSB security service, according to experts.

Their role on board the Boracay was described as ensuring the ship’s protection and, above all, making sure the captain strictly followed instructions aligned with Russian interests. They were also allegedly collecting intelligence while on the vessel.

Russia’s Shadow Fleet and Hybrid Tactics

The tanker has previously been linked to mysterious drone activity over Denmark last year, with flights reported near major airports and military facilities. These incidents were part of a broader pattern of drone sightings and airspace violations across Europe, which some officials suspect were connected to Russia’s hybrid warfare strategy.

French authorities boarded the ship in September and briefly detained both the captain and the first officer for questioning. The tanker’s captain, a Chinese national, is due to stand trial in absentia in the western French city of Brest.

His lawyer confirmed that two Russian nationals had been on board but emphasized that they were not crew members. According to the attorney, they represented the cargo and were not sailors. He insisted that his client had no involvement in their presence and was not responsible for bringing them onto the ship.

The captain and his first officer were taken into custody in early October but were later released and allowed to continue their voyage. The captain is accused of refusing to comply with certain orders.