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France Intercepts Suspected False-Flag Tanker Tied to Russia’s Shadow Fleet in the Mediterranean

French authorities referred the Deyna to Marseille prosecutors after onboard documents cast doubt on its Mozambican registration.

Overview

  • The French navy boarded the tanker Deyna in the western Mediterranean in an operation conducted with allied support that included U.K. monitoring.
  • Maritime officials said the vessel had sailed from Murmansk and was flying Mozambique’s flag, with documents found onboard undermining the validity of that registration.
  • The ship was diverted and escorted to an anchorage for further checks as legal authorities in Marseille took up the case.
  • President Emmanuel Macron labeled shadow‑fleet vessels “war profiteers” and said France will not allow them to help finance Russia’s war effort.
  • The move comes as Europe intensifies action against the shadow fleet, while Kremlin aide Nikolai Patrushev says Russia is considering naval escorts and other protective measures for its ships.