The Royal Navy sent its smallest patrol boat to help seize a giant Russian oil tanker lurking off the coast of Gibraltar.
The 62-foot HMS Cutlass played a “supporting role” as French forces took the 816-foot Deyna in the warers off the British territory.
Cutlass tracked Deyna through the Strait of Gibraltar before passing location intelligence to French forces.
The Gibraltar Squadron craft, crewed by just six personnel and equipped with three machine guns, shadowed the tanker and gathered images to support France’s boarding operation.
French troops subsequently stormed the vessel on Friday morning, with helicopters pictured overhead during the action.
No British personnel participated directly in the boarding itself.
The Deyna had left the Russian Arctic port of Murmansk and was heading towards Port Said in Egypt when authorities raised concerns about its identity and activities.
Reports suggest the tanker was sailing under a false flag, a tactic commonly employed by Vladimir Putin’s vessels seeking to evade sanctions.
HMS Cutlass played a ‘supporting role’ in France’s seizure of the Deyna
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ROYAL NAVY
Built in 2005 and nominally registered in Mozambique, the ship is said to be subject to UK and EU sanctions connected to Russian oil transportation.
The vessel forms part of what is known as the shadow fleet, a network of civilian ships used to circumvent restrictions on Russian exports and provide crucial revenue for Moscow’s war economy.
Following the seizure, the tanker was taken to an anchorage for further inspection.
Defence Secretary John Healey said he was proud of Britain’s contribution to the operation.
“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,” Mr Healey said.
READ MORE ON THE RUSSIAN THREAT:
The Deyna had left the Russian Arctic port of Murmansk and was heading towards Port Said in Egypt when authorities raised concerns about its identity and activities
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FRENCH ARMED FORCES
French forces stormed the deck of the Deyna near Gibraltar
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FRENCH ARMED FORCES
“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.”
HMS Cutlass was the only British vessel available for the mission, with HMS Dragon, a Type 45 destroyer, having left Gibraltar two days earlier to defend RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus from Iranian drones and missiles.
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned shadow fleet vessels as war profiteers after his forces stormed the Deyna.
“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,” Mr Macron wrote.
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned shadow fleet vessels as war profiteers after the raid
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REUTERSHe added that French support for Ukraine would not be deflected by the conflict involving Iran.
The Deyna seizure marks the second French-led interdiction this year, following the capture of the oil tanker Grinch in January between Spain and Morocco.
Britain also provided intelligence support during that earlier operation.
The UK helped American forces seize the Russian ship Marinera off the coast of Scotland – while just this week, HMS Mersey escorted Russian frigate RFN Soobrazitelny and sanctioned oil tanker MV Anatoly Kolodkin through the English Channel.
