Italian-led EU mission boards Russian shadow fleet tanker, Reuters reports
An EU naval mission led by Italy boarded a Russian shadow fleet tanker on Sunday to verify its nationality and flag registration, the Italian Defence Ministry said, according to Reuters.
The Italian Ministry of Defence announced that an EU mission led by Italy boarded a tanker affiliated with Russia’s so-called shadow fleet on Sunday to verify the vessel’s nationality and flag registration. It remains unclear whether the ship was detained after the checks.
The captain initially refused to cooperate, prompting an Italian military team to board the tanker via helicopter launched from the Thaon di Revel, the flagship of the EU’s EUNAVFOR MED Operation Irini. The inspection, supported by a Greek vessel and a Polish maritime patrol aircraft, lasted about two hours and was completed safely, the ministry said. Italian authorities are currently reviewing documents obtained during the operation.
EUNAVFOR MED Operation Irini is a European Union naval mission established in 2020 to enforce the UN arms embargo on Libya. EU member states have since extended its mandate, allowing it to inspect vessels suspected of sailing under false flags.
The EU has already approved a mechanism that enables member states to confiscate and sell Russian oil and grain carried by vessels belonging to Russia’s shadow fleet. The resulting revenues cannot be transferred to Russian individuals or legal entities.
