French naval forces, supported by the UK, have intercepted and boarded another vessel tied to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet in the Mediterranean, marking a significant escalation of Europe’s efforts to enforce maritime sanctions against Moscow.
The vessel, identified as Deyna, was boarded by the French Navy on Friday, with French President Emmanuel Macron confirming the operation. “We remain resolute,” Macron said. “This morning in the Mediterranean, the French Navy intercepted and boarded another vessel from the shadow fleet.”
Macron emphasized that France’s support for Ukraine would not be distracted by the escalating Middle East conflict. “The war involving Iran will not deflect France from its support for Ukraine, where Russia’s war of aggression continues unabated,” he said.
Macron Warns Against Sanction-Busting Tankers
Macron also issued a blunt warning to operators of sanction-busting tankers, labeling them as “profiteers of war” who line their pockets while helping finance Russia’s war effort. “We will not allow it,” he said.
UK Secretary of State for Defence John Healey supported the operation, stating that the UK Armed Forces were involved in the action. “Disrupting, deterring and degrading Russia’s shadow fleet – and starving Putin’s war machine of funds – is a priority for this government and we will continue to take action alongside our allies,” he wrote on a social media post.
Grinch Case Marked Turning Point in Sanctions Enforcement
The operation follows January’s high-profile seizure of the tanker Grinch, which French authorities detained in the Mediterranean under suspicion of sanctions evasion and false flagging. That case ultimately resulted in the vessel’s release after its owner paid a penalty worth “several million euros,” according to French officials – highlighting a growing enforcement model that combines at-sea interdiction with financial penalties.
The Grinch case marked a turning point in European sanctions enforcement, demonstrating a willingness to move beyond paper restrictions and physically intervene at sea. Since then, authorities have expanded inspections, tightened oversight of vessel documentation, and increased coordination with allies targeting the shadow fleet’s broader network of owners, managers, and insurers.
Sanctions Enforcement Expands
As part of this effort, European authorities are expanding their enforcement capabilities to target the shadow fleet more effectively. This includes increasing cooperation between countries, sharing intelligence, and developing new strategies for detecting and deterring sanction-busting vessels.
The French Navy‘s boarding operation on the Deyna is just one example of this expanded enforcement approach. It demonstrates a commitment by European authorities to take a more proactive role in enforcing sanctions against Russia, and to disrupt the shadow fleet’s ability to evade detection and continue profiteering from illegal activities.
Original Article: France Boards Another ‘Shadow Fleet’ Tanker as Macron Escalates Maritime Crackdown — Gcaptain