France detains tanker linked to Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’

The French navy has detained the oil tanker Deyna in the western Mediterranean, which President Emmanuel Macron said belongs to Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’. This network of vessels is believed to help Moscow circumvent Western sanctions and continue exporting oil following the invasion of Ukraine.

The vessel, flying the flag of Mozambique, had sailed from Murmansk and was suspected of operating under a false flag.

The operation was carried out in cooperation with British allies. On the instructions of the prosecutor’s office, the ship was escorted for further inspection.

Macron described such activities as a violation of international law and, indirectly, as support for the Russian war effort.

Russia did not immediately comment on the incident, but has criticised similar interventions in the past as piracy.

This marks the second French intervention against a suspected tanker in recent months, with Paris also involved in other operations alongside European partners.

(reuters, pir)