EU intercepts shadow fleet tanker in Mediterranean

EU naval missions IRINI and ATALANTA are stepping up flag-verification boardings of vessels suspected to be part of Russia's shadow fleet, including the MV SOUTH STAR in the Mediterranean, as part of a broader effort to couple sanctions with maritime actions. EU officials, led by Kaja Kallas, say these measures tighten the net on illicit Russian oil shipments to choke Kremlin funding and reinforce maritime security.