A French sailor accidentally exposed the location of aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in the Mediterranean after logging a deck run on Strava fitness app, violating military security protocols
A French sailor inadvertently disclosed the location of an aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean by going for a run on the deck.
As reported by French publication Le Monde, a serviceman aboard France’s flagship aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, recorded a roughly 4.4-mile run on the deck on March 13 using the popular fitness tracking app Strava. Due to his profile being set to public, his jog broadcast the ship’s position in near real time as it navigated the Mediterranean Sea.
The run unveiled the carrier’s coordinates northwest of Cyprus, approximately 62 miles from the Turkish coast. Le Monde confirmed the breach using satellite imagery captured shortly afterwards, which displayed the 860-foot vessel in the same location. France had dispatched the carrier days earlier, on March 3, amid escalating tensions following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.
The Armed Forces General Staff informed the newspaper that the sailor breached digital security protocols and stated “appropriate measures” would ensue.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has released fresh guidance regarding travel to Cyprus, against the backdrop of the continuing Middle East conflict.
Earlier this month, the FCDO has cautioned that “terrorist attacks in Cyprus cannot be ruled out”. In the revised advisory, the Foreign Office declared: “There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.”
They went on to say that terrorist attacks “could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals.” After the update, they mentioned that UK Counter Terrorism Policing provides information and guidance on remaining safe overseas and how to respond should a terrorist incident occur.
Whilst there’s presently no recommendation against travelling to Cyprus, the Foreign Office cautions that the “regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption”. The UK government has also highlighted a suspected drone attack at RAF Akrotiri base which occurred on March 2.
“On 2 March 2026, the Sovereign Base Areas Administration confirmed a suspected drone impact at RAF Akrotiri. British nationals in the Sovereign Base Areas should follow instructions from the Sovereign Base Areas Administration British Bases Cyprus Facebook. British nationals in the Republic of Cyprus should follow any instructions from Cypriot local authorities,” the guidance reads.
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