EU boards Russian shadow fleet tanker in Mediterranean
15:16, 31/08/2026, MondayU: Update: 15:17, 31/08/2026, Monday
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EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Monday that naval forces from Operation IRINI boarded the MV SUN in the Mediterranean Sea on Sunday to verify its flag, marking the sixth such interception in recent months as Brussels intensifies efforts to disrupt Moscow's illegal oil revenues ahead of Tuesday's defense ministers' meeting.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Monday that naval forces from Operation IRINI had boarded the MV SUN in the Mediterranean to verify its flag, marking the sixth interception of a suspected Russian shadow fleet vessel in recent months. The vessel was intercepted on Sunday amid suspicions it was sailing under a false flag in violation of international maritime law.
'Critical lifeline' for Moscow
"Illegal oil sales from shadow fleet ships are a critical lifeline for Russia's war in Ukraine, and we'll continue to cut them off," Kallas said on X. Brussels remains committed to targeting these networks as part of broader sanctions enforcement.
Defense ministers to meet
Measures targeting the shadow fleet will be discussed when EU defense ministers meet in Ireland on Tuesday, according to Kallas. The Dublin meeting will address coordination against vessels circumventing sanctions through flag manipulation.