Eu forces: EU forces boarded an oil tanker suspected of belonging to Russia's shadow fleet in the Mediterranean for a flag verification, the bloc's foreign policy chief said Monday. Kaja Kallas stated that the MV SUN was boarded Sunday by forces from the EU's Mediterranean naval mission, Operation IRINI, over suspicions that it was sailing under a false flag in violation of international maritime law.

According to Anadolu Agency, illegal oil sales from shadow fleet ships are a critical lifeline for Russia's war in Ukraine, and the EU is determined to disrupt these activities. Kallas conveyed this message on the US social media platform X, emphasizing the EU's ongoing efforts to address the issue. She noted that the MV SUN was the sixth suspected shadow fleet vessel boarded by EU operations in recent months.

Measures targeting Russia's shadow fleet will be further discussed when EU defense ministers convene in Ireland on Tuesday. This meeting is expected to focus on strategies to enhance the effectiveness of their operations against these illicit activities.