EU forces inspect Mediterranean tanker linked to Russia's shadow fleet
The European Union exposes a tanker sailing under a false flag in the Mediterranean Sea (photo: x.com/kajakallas)
The European Union's naval forces inspected the MV MIDAG tanker in the Mediterranean Sea over suspected links to Russia. The inspection confirmed that the vessel was sailing under a false flag, according to the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas.
The inspection was conducted on November 13 as part of a European Union military operation under the Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP). The EU inspected the vessel under Article 110 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The inspection found that the MV MIDAG tanker had been using a false flag. This violation confirmed suspicions about the vessel's links to Russia's shadow fleet.
The EU stressed that it would not limit its efforts to at-sea inspections and would continue to counter the activities of such a fleet through diplomatic means.
EU forces from @EUNAVFOR_MED IRINI boarded a suspected Russian shadow fleet tanker in the Mediterranean on 13 November.
— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) November 15, 2026
The boarding, conducted under Article 110 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, confirmed the MV MIDAG was sailing under a false flag.
The EU will… pic.twitter.com/Emku8oRVNT
Kallas also said that the next step could be to increase sanctions pressure on Russia.
On Monday, November 16, EU foreign ministers are expected to approve new sanctions lists.
The restrictions will target banks, buyers of Russian oil, and companies supporting the shadow fleet's operations, among others.
In October, France also intercepted a Russian shadow fleet tanker in the Indian Ocean. The DF Peak, linked to the sanctioned company Sovcomflot, is suspected of sailing under a false flag and illegally transporting fuel. The tanker is under sanctions imposed by the United States, the EU, Ukraine, and several other countries.
In addition, Russia is trying to expand its shadow fleet to circumvent international sanctions and finance its war against Ukraine. According to the UK Foreign Office, Moscow has built at least two new tankers to transport liquefied natural gas through the Arctic and is also adding other vessels to the fleet.
