Engine trouble prompts Swedish military boarding of Russian cargo vessel

The Swedish Navy recently boarded the Russian cargo vessel Mikhail Dudin, which had left Saint Petersburg on September 23 and was bound for northern France, following reports of technical problems.

According to Expressen, the Panama-flagged vessel appears to have experienced engine difficulties, prompting it to anchor off the southern Swedish province of Blekinge, roughly 68 kilometres from the northern tip of Denmark’s Bornholm island.

The engine issues reportedly began on the night of September 28.

Jimmy Adamsson, a spokesperson for the Swedish Navy, explained that the ship had been drifting uncontrollably north before anchoring.

“We also spoke with the crew. Given that they are relatively close to Swedish waters, it’s important to maintain communication and hear them out,” he said. “There’s nothing unusual about approaching the vessel: its location makes it of interest to us.”

Expressen noted that Mikhail Dudin is a civilian commercial vessel operating in international waters and is not involved in any illegal activity. Nevertheless, Swedish military personnel boarded the ship to engage with the crew due to the tense situation in the Baltic Sea.

By Tamilla Hasanova