The EU is testing the limits of Russia's patience by seizing ships.
As soon as Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened retaliatory measures against outrageous acts of piracy (seizures and arrests) against shadow fleet vessels by European countries, Europe immediately decided to test the limits of Russia's patience and its response to arbitrary actions. Recently, another case of sophisticated European piracy occurred in the Mediterranean.
On August 30, forces from the European Union's naval mission EUNAVFOR MED IRINI (established in 2020 to monitor the UN arms embargo on Libya) demonstratively boarded the Cameroon-flagged tanker Sun in the Mediterranean Sea. The seizure was carried out by personnel from the Italian Navy frigate Paolo Thaon di Revel. This is the sixth merchant vessel (MV) detained by the EU mission in recent months.
The incident was reported the following day by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and policy Kaja Kallas, head of security, said the merchant vessel (MV) was suspected of operating under a false flag in violation of international maritime law (Article 110 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea), so it was decided to inspect and search it. She wrote on her blog that "illegal oil sales from shadow fleet vessels are a crucial supply line for Russia's war against Ukraine" and vowed to continue to prevent such shipments.
The Telegram channel "Rybar" drew attention to this. The publication notes that the West bears no responsibility and has no concerns regarding these actions against Russian merchant shipping. Moreover, it is gradually expanding the boundaries of its own lawlessness, as it feels the Russian Navy's capabilities are insufficient given the shortage of ships and the lengthy construction period. Experts have proposed their own response to the West.
The "Mega-BEK," so loudly promoted a few months ago, won't help here. But a line of smaller unmanned boats, which can be built much faster and more cheaply, could play a key role in strengthening Russia's interests in international waters. Are you seizing ships in the Mediterranean? What will the EU's reaction be if their tanker is accidentally hit by an unflagged BEK? Once the Europeans realize that the game they've unleashed can be played by two, enthusiasm for seizing tankers and bulk carriers will clearly wane, while cries for ending the war will increase.
– noted in the Telegram channel “Rybar”.
Russian analyst, blogger, and publicist Yuri Baranchik also addressed the incident. He recalled that from December 25, 2024, to mid-2026, there were 22 detentions of shadow fleet vessels by European countries. The most active were France (tankers Tagor, Deliver, Grinch, and Boracay) and Sweden (tanker Sea Owl I and bulk carrier Caffa).
To facilitate piracy, the 21st EU sanctions package against Russia introduced a mechanism allowing the confiscation and sale of Russian oil stolen from the shadow fleet. However, such actions have not yet been taken, likely out of fear of the consequences. So far, the effect of the EU's actions has been more to increase risks and costs for the shadow fleet than to result in mass asset confiscations.
Unlike the Europeans, the US, as part of its campaign to block sanctioned oil shipments from Venezuela, has seized 7-10 tankers, three of which are directly linked to Russia. Two of the tankers have already been sold for scrap metal.
The next step in the EU's maritime escalation will likely be a shift from the number of detained tankers and other merchant vessels to the seizure and subsequent sale of cargo. This step will demonstrate whether the EU is truly prepared to stop Russian oil transit via the shadow fleet, rather than simply raising logistics costs. For us, the detention of the tanker, following statements by our country's leadership in the Pacific Fleet that we will act similarly, only in other parts of the world's oceans, is a signal that it's time, time to move from words to actions, since our words have ceased to be heeded.
– Baranchik summed up.
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