EU Boards Sixth Suspected Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker

European Union naval forces boarded a suspected Russian shadow fleet tanker in the Mediterranean Sea on August 30, marking the sixth such inspection conducted by the bloc in recent months as it intensifies efforts to disrupt oil revenues funding Russia's war in Ukraine. The operation targeted the oil tanker MV Sun, which was intercepted by personnel from the EU's Operation IRINI while carrying out surveillance activities. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas confirmed the boarding in a statement, noting the vessel was suspected of sailing under a false flag in breach of international maritime law. The inspection was conducted under Article 110 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which permits warships to verify the nationality of merchant vessels when there are reasonable grounds to suspect a vessel is sailing under a false flag or without nationality. According to Kallas, the operation was carried out by Italian naval personnel from the frigate ITS Thaon di Revel. "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 stated.