Cyprus, Nicosia

Strava data revealed the location of a French aircraft carrier off the coast of Cyprus

20.03.2026 / 17:22
News Category

The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, located off the coast of Limassol, found itself at the center of a data leak: its location was revealed through the Strava sports app. The incident occurred on March 13 and became known from a publication in the French newspaper Le Monde.

According to the publication, a French Navy officer used a fitness app while jogging on the ship's deck, which recorded a route of about 7 kilometers. This data was automatically uploaded to his profile and became available online almost in real time. Thus, the presumed location of the aircraft carrier and the escort vessel was revealed — approximately 100 kilometers northwest of Cyprus.

Earlier, data on the ship's location had also appeared on specialized open-source intelligence resources. It was noted that French reconnaissance drones were detected south of Cyprus, indicating the presence of the aircraft carrier in the Limassol area.

The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs previously denied reports of a possible deployment of the aircraft carrier to the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing that the strike group remains in the eastern Mediterranean. According to official data, the French mission in the region is defensive in nature.

The French group, in addition to the aircraft carrier, includes frigates and a support vessel. Warships from Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands are also operating in the area.

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