On March 20, 2026, the French Navy conducted an offshore operation in the western Mediterranean, against the oil tanker Denya departing from Murmansk flying the Mozambique flag" - according to a statement from the Mediterranean Maritime Authority posted on social network X.
The statement stated that the operation was carried out in coordination with French allies, including the United Kingdom, which participated in monitoring the Denya ship.
France emphasized that the operation to seize the ship originating from Russia is also in accordance with Article 110 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and aims to check the nationality of the ship, suspected of using a fake flag.
The paperwork check has confirmed suspicions about the legality of the national flag. A related notice has been forwarded to the Marseille prosecutor's office" - the notice stated.
The Mediterranean Maritime Administration added that Denya is being escorted by the French Navy to the anchorage area for further inspection.
Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that a tanker belonging to the "dark fleet of Russia" had been arrested.
