EU steps up maritime pressure on Russia’s shadow fleet

EU forces have boarded an oil tanker suspected of sailing under a false flag as part of intensified efforts to target Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said.

The tanker MV South Star was boarded on July 20 by forces from the EU’s Operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI to verify its flag, Kallas wrote on X, Caliber.Az reports.

We’re turning up the pressure on Russia’s shadow fleet.

The oil tanker MV SOUTH STAR, suspected of sailing under false flag in breach of international maritime law, has been boarded on 20 July by Operation @EUNAVFOR_MED IRINI forces for flag verification.

Every illicit voyage… pic.twitter.com/Q4esYx4VRl

— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) July 22, 2026

“Every illicit voyage helps sustain Russia's war machine. We are matching our sanctions with action at sea,” she said.

Kallas added that EU member states had also authorised Operation EUNAVFOR ATALANTA to begin conducting flag-verification boardings of vessels suspected of belonging to Russia’s shadow fleet, following the example of Operation IRINI.

“This decision further tightens the net,” she said.

Operation EUNAVFOR ATALANTA was established in 2008 to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia and in the western Indian Ocean.

By Sabina Mammadli