EU Naval Force Boards Sanctioned Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker in Mediterranean Sea

The Italian Navy ship Thaon di Revel boarded the sanctioned tanker Toa Payoh west of Pantelleria on the morning of August 2, part of the EU's Operation IRINI mission monitoring arms and oil trafficking in the Mediterranean 12. The tanker, sailing from Cotonou, Benin to Istanbul under a Cameroonian flag it had adopted only the prior week, refused to cooperate with initial document requests, prompting an Italian military team to board by helicopter with backup from a Greek naval vessel and Polish maritime patrol aircraft 23. The roughly two-hour inspection concluded safely, and Italy's Defense Ministry said document verification was ongoing but did not confirm whether the tanker had been detained. A Reuters source said EUNAVFOR MED IRINI lacks authority to seize vessels during such inspections, though gathered documentation could support later national action 2. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto called the operation further evidence of Italy's contribution to Mediterranean security 13.