EU Irini operation halts suspected Russian shadow fleet tanker, says EU chief diplomat

Kaja Kallas, the EU chief diplomat, has announced that the EU's Operation Irini in the Mediterranean Sea had stopped a tanker suspected of belonging to Russia's shadow fleet for inspection.

Source: Kallas on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda

Details: Kallas said that on 20 July, forces from the EU Irini operation boarded the oil tanker South Star under suspicion that it was sailing under a false flag, which constitutes a violation of international maritime law.

"Every illicit voyage helps sustain Russia's war machine. We are matching our sanctions with action at sea. In parallel, Member States this week have authorised Operation EUNAVFOR ATALANTA [in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean – ed.] to begin conducting flag verification boardings of suspected Russian shadow fleet vessels, in the same way Operation Irini does. This decision further tightens the net," the EU's top diplomat said.

The Irini operation in the Mediterranean was launched in 2020 to counter the smuggling of weapons, petroleum products and people. In 2025, the Council of the EU extended its mandate until 31 March 2027, and expanded its tasks to include gathering information on various shadow activities in the Mediterranean and on threats to critical underwater infrastructure.

Background:

• In March 2026, the mission was granted authority to board vessels suspected of using false flags, in accordance with Article 110 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
• It is worth noting that the Tagor tanker, detained in May and linked to Russia's shadow fleet, received a €1 million fine from France. Another such vessel is currently under investigation.

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