Italian-led EU Force Boards Sanctioned Tanker from Russia’s ‘Shadow Fleet’ in Mediterranean

An EU ‌mission led by Italy boarded a tanker belonging to Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" on Sunday to verify its nationality and flag registration, Italy's Defense Ministry said. It was not immediately clear whether the vessel had been detained while the checks were carried out. The ministry said the Toa Payoh, a tanker under EU sanctions that was ‌sailing under ‌the flag of Cameroon, had ‌been intercepted ⁠in the Mediterranean, ⁠west of the Italian island of Pantelleria, while travelling from Benin to Istanbul.