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EU naval forces board suspected Russian 'shadow fleet' tanker

31 August 2026 15:37 (UTC +04:00)

"The oil tanker MV SUN, suspected of sailing under false flag in breach of international maritime law, was boarded on August 30 in the Mediterranean by Operation EUNAVFOR MED Irini forces for flag verification," wrote Kallas on X, TVP World reports.

The post reads:

"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. The oil tanker MV SUN, suspected of sailing under false flag in breach of international maritime law, was boarded on 30 August in the Mediterranean by Operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI forces for flag verification. This is the sixth suspected shadow fleet vessel boarded by our EU operations in recent months. Actions against the shadow fleet will be among the topics when EU Defence Ministers gather in Ireland on Tuesday."

EUNAVFOR MED Irini is an EU naval mission first launched in 2020 to enforce a U.N. arms embargo on Libya. EU governments have since broadened its scope, authorising it to conduct verification boardings.

Toghrul Guluzade

Kaja Kallas MV SUN oil tanker shadow fleet Russia Ukraine EUNAVFOR MED Irini European Union Mediterranean Sea false flag international maritime law oil sales EU Defence Ministers Ireland