French navy seizes Russian tanker disguised under Mozambique flag

The French Navy intercepted an oil tanker on March 20 in the Western Mediterranean, which ‌President Emmanuel Macron identified as part of Russia's shadow fleet, a network allowing Moscow to continue oil exports despite Western sanctions.

Local authorities told Reuters that the Mozambique-flagged ship, Deyna, was suspected of ⁠flying a false flag and had departed from the Russian port of Murmansk.

The French Mediterranean prefecture confirmed that the operation was conducted alongside British allies.

Russia has not immediately responded to the seizure, though it has previously described the interception of its vessels or cargoes as acts of piracy.

According to the French military, the vessel was escorted to an anchorage for further examination at ‌the ⁠prosecutor's request.

Macron wrote on X, "These vessels, which evade international sanctions and violate the law of the sea, are profiteers of war. They line their pockets while helping finance Russia’s war effort."

We remain resolute.

This morning in the Mediterranean, the French Navy intercepted and boarded another vessel from the shadow fleet, the Deyna.

The war involving Iran will not deflect France from its support for Ukraine, where Russia’s war of aggression continues unabated.… pic.twitter.com/SYCPKblacb

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) March 20, 2026

This marks the second such French interception in recent months; in January, France stopped the oil tanker Grinch between Spain’s southern coast and Morocco’s northern coast on suspicion of its connection to the Russian shadow fleet.

By Jeyhun Aghazada