EU Ships Begin Inspecting Vessels of Russia’s Shadow Fleet in Mediterranean Sea
The European Union has expanded the mandate of the EUNAVFORMED IRINI naval operation and authorized the inspection of vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet. This was announced by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas ahead of a meeting of EU defense ministers in Cyprus.
According to Kallas, the issue of countering the shadow fleet was one of the topics discussed during the meeting of European ministers. She noted that the EUNAVFORMED IRINI operation has changed its rules of engagement and is now beginning to inspect ships. “Our IRINI operation has changed its rules of engagement, and we are now also beginning to inspect ships,” Kallas stated. “This involves developing a common approach to how different countries deal with these vessels, as they pose a real danger. And, of course, the goal is to prevent Russia from financing the war.”
The EU believes that the so-called shadow fleet helps Russia circumvent international sanctions and continue exporting oil and petroleum products. It typically includes old tankers with complex ownership structures that often use opaque insurance schemes and change their flags of registration.
EUNAVFORMED IRINI Operation Expands Mandate
The European Union launched the EUNAVFORMED IRINI naval operation in 2020 to monitor compliance with the UN arms embargo on Libya. Its tasks also include monitoring illegal oil shipments, combating smuggling, and controlling maritime routes in the central Mediterranean. The operation has now expanded its mandate to inspect vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet.
The EU believes that the inspection of these vessels is crucial to preventing Russia from financing its war efforts through illegal oil exports. “Russia deploys escort vessels to support its own shadow fleet,” Kallas noted. “In January 2026, it was reported that Russia had dispatched a submarine to escort a shadow fleet tanker fleeing from a US ship.”
The EUNAVFORMED IRINI operation is led by the European Union and involves naval ships from several EU member states, including Germany, Italy, France, and Spain. The operation has been conducting patrols in the Mediterranean Sea since 2020, monitoring maritime traffic and enforcing international sanctions.
Consequences of Russia’s Shadow Fleet
The EU believes that Russia’s shadow fleet poses a significant threat to global energy security and stability. By circumventing international sanctions, Russia is able to continue exporting oil and petroleum products, which can be used to finance its war efforts in Ukraine.
The inspection of vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet is an important step in preventing this illegal activity from continuing. The EU hopes that the expanded mandate of the EUNAVFORMED IRINI operation will help to prevent Russia from financing its war efforts and promote global energy security.
Original Article: EU Ships Will Begin Inspecting Vessels of Russia’s Shadow Fleet in Mediterranean Sea — Militarnyi