European Union forces boarded an oil tanker in the Mediterranean on August 30 to verify its flag status. The vessel is suspected of being part of Russia’s shadow fleet, EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy Kaja Kallas said on August 31.
According to Kallas, the oil tanker was suspected of sailing under a false flag in breach of international maritime law.
The vessel was boarded on August 30 in the Mediterranean by Operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI forces, for flag verification.
The EU foreign affairs and security policy chief described illicit oil sales carried out through Russia’s shadow fleet ships as a critical source of revenue supporting Moscow’s war against Ukraine and said the EU would continue efforts to “cut them off.”
The incident was announced by Kallas, who emphasized that Illegal oil sales from shadow fleet ships are a critical lifeline for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
“This is the sixth suspected shadow fleet vessel boarded by our EU operations in recent months,” she said.
Actions against the shadow fleet will be among the topics when EU defence ministers gather in Ireland on September 1.
Last Sunday, while carrying out surveillance activities operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI conducted a flag verification boarding the tanker in compliance with art. 110 of UNCLOS.
Operation IRINI said it continues to support EU efforts to counter Russian shadow fleet and promote maritime security in the Med High Sea.
Russian president Vladimir Putin last month vowed to retaliate in kind if European countries carried out plans to seize Russian commercial vessels.
