UK and French Forces Intercept Sanctioned Russian Oil Tanker in Mediterranean
British forces have collaborated with the French Navy in a high-stakes operation to intercept and seize the MV Deyna, a sanctioned Russian 'shadow fleet' oil tanker suspected of operating under a false flag in the Mediterranean Sea. This fleet of vessels is utilised to transport Russian oil and goods globally, circumventing sanctions imposed on Vladimir Putin's regime following the invasion of Ukraine.
Government Statements on the Operation
Defence Secretary John Healey declared: '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 added, '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 stated: '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.'
Operational Details and UK Involvement
Patrol boat HMS Cutlass monitored the Deyna and supported the French operation with tracking and imagery capture near the Strait of Gibraltar. A French Navy helicopter hovered over the vessel during the interception in the Western Mediterranean Sea. The Deyna is sanctioned by the UK and the European Union for its role in shipping Russian oil, marking the latest instance of UK cooperation with allies in targeting sanctioned vessels.
This follows previous actions, including British assistance in the seizure of the oil tanker Marinera by the US in January. Previously known as the Bella-1, this 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 it through the Strait of Gibraltar.
Broader Strategy and Criticisms
The UK has advocated for allies to conduct more seizures of 'shadow fleet' vessels, with the Defence Secretary and Attorney General meeting senior officials from other nations earlier this month to discuss military and legal options. However, British forces have yet to board a sanctioned vessel themselves.
Amidst these operations, the Royal Navy and the Labour government have faced widespread criticism over their lack of preparedness for conflicts. HMS Cutlass, a 62ft patrol boat with a crew of six and armed with three general-purpose machine guns, highlights resource constraints. As of March 12, four of the UK's seven mine countermeasures vessels (MCMVs) are out of commission, with the remaining three based in the UK, including roles protecting nuclear submarine bases. Redeploying one to the Gulf would take five weeks.
HMS Bangor is currently in the UK undergoing major structural repairs following a collision in Bahrain in early 2024 and 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 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 conflict in the Middle East escalated. This issue became particularly pertinent after RAF Akrotiri was hit by an Iranian drone fired from Lebanon, raising major concerns about the standard of local air defences.
