The EU's chief diplomat, Kaja Kallas, announced on Monday that a European naval operation in the Mediterranean intercepted on Sunday, August 30, the oil tanker MV SUN, suspected of belonging to the so-called Russian shadow fleet. The vessel was boarded by European forces from operation Irini, whose mission is to inspect vessels on the high seas to verify their flag.
The oil tanker is suspected of sailing under a false flag, in violation of international maritime law. Kallas stated that this is the sixth vessel suspected of belonging to the shadow fleet to be intercepted by EU operations in recent months.
The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy emphasized that illegal sales of Russian oil through this shadow fleet represent a crucial funding source for Russia's war in Ukraine, adding that the EU will continue to try to stop these activities.
The shadow fleet is composed of vessels that Russia registers in third countries to transport mainly oil, thus managing to avoid international sanctions imposed since the invasion of Ukraine. Actions against this fleet will be among the topics under discussion when EU defense ministers meet on Tuesday in Ireland.
