Russia’s Foreign Ministry objected to the European Union’s stopping and inspecting commercial vessels as part of its Irini operation off the coast of Libya. The ministry also described as unlawful the examination of whether the vessels belonged to the “shadow fleet” transporting goods in line with Russia’s interests.
The mandate of the Irini operation
The ministry argued that these practices violate the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. It said European forces were conducting unlawful searches of foreign vessels by citing the operation’s “updated” mandate.
The tasks assigned to the Irini operation by the United Nations Security Council include monitoring the arms embargo on shipments to Libya, gathering information on illegal oil exports from Libya and monitoring illegal human trafficking on the high seas. Russia’s Foreign Ministry noted that this mandate expired in May 2026.
Inspection of a vessel in the Mediterranean
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said the Cameroon-flagged commercial vessel Tao Payoh was stopped and inspected by Italian soldiers in the Mediterranean on August 2. A Polish patrol aircraft and a Greek patrol vessel provided support during the operation, the ministry said.
Italy’s Ministry of Defense said the vessel was stopped to check its nationality. Tao Payoh continued on its voyage after the two-hour inspection, while Russia’s Foreign Ministry said suspicions regarding the vessel had not been confirmed.
Russia’s accusations against the EU
The ministry alleged that the Irini operation was being used to intimidate those engaged in commercial shipping and obstruct freedom of navigation. It argued that the European Union was abusing international legal rules and interpreting its powers broadly.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry also alleged that K. Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, had described routine maritime transport that ensures the energy and food security of developing countries as illegal, rather than the actions of vessels from EU countries participating in Irini.
The ministry alleged that the flag-state control theoretically permitted under maritime law was used in this case for political confrontation and unilateral coercive measures. It argued that examining whether the vessels belonged to the “shadow fleet” had no legal basis under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
