French Navy seizes Russian shadow fleet tanker in Mediterranean
Photo: French Navy detains Russian shadow fleet tanker in the Mediterranean (x.com/EmmanuelMacron)
The French Navy has detained an oil tanker linked to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet. The vessel is suspected of attempting to bypass international sanctions by using a foreign flag, according to French President Emmanuel Macron.
“We are staying the course. This morning in the Mediterranean, the French Navy boarded another ‘shadow fleet’ vessel, Deyna. The war in Iran will not distract France from supporting Ukraine, where Russia’s aggressive war continues,” Macron wrote.
According to French authorities, the tanker Deyna was sailing from the Russian port of Murmansk.
The ship was flying the flag of Mozambique, but French forces suspected it was using it illegally. The vessel was intercepted in the western Mediterranean.
Nous gardons le cap.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) March 20, 2026
La Marine française a arraisonné ce matin en Méditerranée un nouveau bateau de la flotte fantôme, le Deyna.
La guerre en Iran ne détournera pas la France du soutien à l’Ukraine où la guerre d’agression de la Russie se poursuit.… pic.twitter.com/ZylRHZ8zHw
The operation was carried out jointly with allies from the United Kingdom.
According to French authorities, the tanker is part of a network of vessels used to transport oil in обход sanctions. Such ships often change flags, routes, and registration to conceal the origin of their cargo.
“These ships, which bypass international sanctions and violate maritime law, are war profiteers. They seek to generate profit and finance Russia’s war effort,” Macron said.
Detentions of Russia’s shadow fleet tankers
It should be recalled that in January, the US Coast Guard detained the tanker Olina. The vessel belonged to the shadow fleet and specialized in exporting sanctioned Russian oil to China, India, and Turkey while concealing its flag (including posing as a vessel from East Timor).
In February, US forces detained another Russian shadow fleet tanker in the Indian Ocean—Aquila II.
On January 22, French forces conducted a special operation and detained another shadow fleet tanker in the Mediterranean that had been heading from Russia.
