European Forces Intercept Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Tanker in Mediterranean
Foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said EU defense ministers plan to discuss “actions against the shadow fleet” at a meeting later this week.
The European Union's IRINI mission boarded a suspected tanker in the Mediterranean Sea on August 30, the sixth such vessel inspected by the EU forces in recent months. The tanker, named MV Sun, was suspected of sailing under a false flag and transporting Russian oil to evade sanctions, according to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
The mission, established in 2020 to monitor compliance with the arms embargo on Libya, expanded its mandate in 2026 to combat the "shadow fleet" of tankers. EU defense ministers are scheduled to meet in Ireland on September 1 to discuss measures to tackle the issue. Earlier this month, Italian naval personnel boarded the tanker Toa Payoh, also believed to be part of the "shadow fleet." French military personnel have also detained several tankers in the region.
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