Months after expanding the EU Mission Irini to combat Russia’s shadow fleet, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas has issued her first assessment. Speaking to “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland,” Kallas stated that during EU naval operations, six inspections have been carried out in recent months, all conducted in strict compliance with international law.
While the boarding efforts by specialized units certainly generate headlines, Kallas emphasized that the greatest pressure is actually coming from diplomatic measures. The EU has currently imposed sanctions on approximately 670 vessels. Furthermore, countries in Africa, at the request of the EU, have struck hundreds of ships from their national registers. She explained that losing their flag makes a tanker much more susceptible to inspections and seizures, causing authorities, insurers, banks, and traders to hesitate before doing business with the vessel.
The EU Chief Diplomat also cautioned that the ships in the Russian shadow fleet are not just funding the war; they also represent ecological time bombs because they are often old, poorly maintained, and insufficiently insured. Kallas warned that there is a high probability that the next major oil disaster could originate from the shadow fleet near our coasts. Beyond just financing the war, these vessels have also served as launch points for hybrid attacks.
