EU forces board Cameroon-flagged tanker South Star in the Mediterranean

Forces from the EU's Operation Irini boarded the Cameroon-flagged tanker South Star in international waters in the Mediterranean for a flag verification check, according to the Moscow Times. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced the boarding on X, saying Europe was increasing pressure on Russia's shadow fleet. Defense News reported that the sanctioned tanker was boarded on 20 July on suspicion of sailing under a false flag. Ship-tracking data cited by the Moscow Times showed the vessel had left Rades in Tunisia on 10 July. Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously described such interceptions as piracy.

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