UK and France seize Russian 'Shadow fleet' tanker in the Mediterranean

British forces joined the French Navy in a high-stakes operation to intercept and seize the MV Deyna, a sanctioned Russian 'shadow fleet' oil tanker suspected of flying a false flag in the Mediterranean. 

The fleet of vessels is used to carry Russian oil and goods around the world to avoid sanctions put on Vladimir Putin's country following the invasion of Ukraine.

The French navy intercepted the Deyna, an oil tanker, in the Mediterranean.

Defence Secretary John Healey said: '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.

'As threats increase and demands on defence rise, I am proud of the support our UK armed forces provided to this French operation, keeping Britain safe at home as we support Ukraine, deter Russia and deliver defensive operations in the Middle East.'

French President Emmanuel Macron said: 'The war involving Iran will not deflect France from its support for Ukraine, where Russia's war of aggression continues unabated.

'These vessels, which evade international sanctions and violate the law of the sea, are profiteers of war. They line their pockets while helping finance Russia's war effort. We will not allow it.'

Patrol boat HMS Cutlass monitored the Deyna and supported the French operation with tracking and imagery capture near the Strait of Gibraltar.

The Deyna is sanctioned by the UK and the European Union for its role in shipping Russian oil.  

It is the latest sign of the UK's co-operation with allies in targeting sanctioned vessels.

In January, British forces assisted in the seizure of the oil tanker Marinera by the US.

Previously known as the Bella-1, the Russian-flagged vessel was captured by US forces aided by RAF aircraft and the British supply ship RFA Tideforce in the Atlantic.

Later that same month, Royal Navy patrol boat HMS Dagger helped the French seize another sanctioned ship, the Grinch, in the western Mediterranean, shadowing the vessel through the Strait of Gibraltar.

The UK has pushed for allies to carry out more seizures of 'shadow fleet' vessels, with the Defence Secretary and Attorney General meeting senior officials from other nations to discuss military and legal options earlier this month.

British forces have yet to board a sanctioned vessel themselves.

The Royal Navy and Labour have been widely criticised over their lack of preparedness for the conflict.

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As of March 12, four of the UK's seven MCMV are now out of commission, and the other three are based in the UK in roles including protecting nuclear submarine bases. Even if one was to be redeployed to the Gulf, it would take five weeks to arrive. 

HMS Bangor is currently in the UK, undergoing major structural repairs following a collision in Bahrain in early 2024. It is not expected to be ready until late April 2026. 

Defence analyst Francis Tusa told the Times: 'When the Iran-Iraq tanker war broke out in the late 1980s, the USA turned to the UK for our mine countermeasures expertise, to counter the Iranian use of sea mines.

'From that time on, there have normally been four advanced mine countermeasures vessels (MCMVs) deployed in Bahrain, often backed up by a support vessel.

'The Royal Navy now does not have enough MCMVs to cover tasks like protection of the nuclear deterrent, and then to deploy to predictable threats such as in the Gulf.

'As a country, the UK is being found sadly wanting as regards naval capabilities.'

Significant backlash also followed reports that HMS Dragon was delayed by routine maintenance while the conflict within the Middle East escalated. 

This was particularly pertinent after RAF Akrotiri was hit by an Iranian drone fired from Lebanon, which raised major concerns about the standard of local air defences.