On Friday, the French navy intercepted an oil tanker named Deyna, which was flagged under Mozambique and was traveling from Murmansk, Russia, in the western Mediterranean Sea. This action has raised suspicions that the vessel is associated with the Russian "phantom fleet," which is known for helping Moscow bypass sanctions imposed due to the war in Ukraine. The French maritime prefecture announced the interception detailing the navy's ongoing operations to regulate maritime traffic and uphold sanction laws against Russia.

Following the interception, the tanker was escorted by the French National Navy to a designated anchorage point for further inspection. The operation aimed to verify the legality of the ship's flag and its cargo. Allegations regarding the vessel's connection with illicit activities led to the involvement of the Marseille public prosecutor, who was notified by the maritime prefecture of the developments surrounding this case, indicating the seriousness of the investigation.

This interception marks the third time that a vessel identified as part of the Russian phantom fleet has been targeted, highlighting the efforts of French authorities to clamp down on maritime changes and uphold international sanctions against Russia. The operation emphasizes the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region and scrutinizes the measures taken to ensure that sanctions against Russia remain effective amid its continued actions in Ukraine.