In March 2026, the French Navy conducted a significant operation in the Western Mediterranean, during which they intercepted and boarded an oil tanker named Deyna, believed to be part of Russia's shadow fleet. This operation was specifically aimed at investigating the vessel, which was flying the flag of Mozambique and was en route from the Russian port of Murmansk. French authorities suspected that the Deyna was involved in bypassing international sanctions related to Russia's ongoing aggression against Ukraine. The operation was carried out with close cooperation from the United Kingdom, which played a monitoring role during the interception. Upon examining the documentation on board, French officials confirmed their suspicions regarding the tanker’s flagged nationality, which led to the decision to divert and escort the vessel to an anchorage point for further inspections. Legal proceedings have since commenced, with the case being referred to a prosecutor in the port city of Marseille. French President Emmanuel Macron publicly addressed the situation, stating that these shadow fleet vessels represent war profiteers who evade sanctions and thereby contribute to financing Russia's military efforts. He emphasized France's resolute commitment to supporting Ukraine in the face of ongoing aggression from Russia, and not allowing other geopolitical issues, such as tensions with Iran, to detract from that support. This seizure marks a continuation of France's policy to combat the illicit shipping practices that have emerged as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has drawn widespread condemnation and resulted in a series of international sanctions. Previously, French naval forces have conducted similar operations, including intercepting another oil tanker earlier in 2026 suspected of being part of the same network, further underscoring France's active role in addressing the threats posed by such sanctions evasion strategies employed by Russia.