A large-scale operation to detain an oil tanker linked to the Russian "shadow fleet" took place in the Mediterranean Sea. Italian military forces, as part of the EU mission EUNAVFOR MED IRINI, stopped the vessel MV SOUTH STAR, which is suspected of evading sanctions and transporting Russian oil.
Details of the seizure
The operation was carried out using high-speed boats of the Italian Marine Corps. The military quickly approached the vessel and boarded it, while air support was provided by a helicopter. The tanker is currently located off the coast of Tunisia.
According to data published by the German edition of Bild, MV SOUTH STAR sails under the flag of Equatorial Guinea and is officially under EU sanctions. The vessel has a long history of changing jurisdictions: in recent years, it has changed registration from the Marshall Islands to Guinea-Bissau, Cameroon, and finally Equatorial Guinea.
Connection to Russian exports
Ukrainian military intelligence reports that the tanker has repeatedly transported Russian oil and petroleum products from the ports of Novorossiysk and Tuapse. According to sources, the vessel may have used the tactic of covert voyages, turning off its transponder and transferring oil at sea to other tankers to hide the origin of the cargo.
Tightening of control by the EU
The detention of the vessel occurred against the backdrop of statements about expanding the powers of European missions. The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, emphasized that EU naval missions will receive more rights to inspect suspicious tankers.
"Every illegal shipment contributes to supporting the Russian war machine," Kallas stated. In the future, control over "shadow fleet" vessels will also be carried out by the EU mission EUNAVFOR ATALANTA.
Escalation of tension and Kyiv's position
Events are developing against the backdrop of a worsening situation on Europe's sea routes. Earlier in the week, a Russian warship conducted exercises using live ammunition in the English Channel.
In this regard, Ukraine has appealed to the International Maritime Organization with a call to officially recognize the Russian "shadow fleet" not just as an economic tool, but as a potential military threat. Kyiv insists that vessels helping Russia evade sanctions and finance the war should be granted the status of legitimate targets.
