EU forces land on tanker linked to Russian shadow fleet (photo)

EU forces from Operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI have boarded the tanker MV SUN in the Mediterranean Sea to check its flag.

The vessel is suspected of flying a false flag and is linked to the Russian shadow fleet, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaia Kallas said on her social media account X.

She said the military boarded the vessel on August 30 to check its nationality. The tanker is suspected of flying a false flag, which could indicate a violation of international maritime law.

Kallas said this was the sixth vessel suspected of belonging to the Russian shadow fleet to be inspected by EU operations in recent months.

She also stressed that the illegal sale of oil through shadow fleet vessels remains a key source of revenue that helps Russia finance its war in Ukraine.

Kallas said the EU would continue to restrict the activities of such a fleet. The issue of countering the shadow fleet will also be discussed by EU defense ministers during a meeting in Ireland on Tuesday, September 1.