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Estonia Detains Russian-Linked Shadow Fleet Oil Tanker Near Tallinn
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Estonian authorities detained an oil tanker linked to Russia’s shadow fleet early April 11 morning near the island of Aegna, just outside Tallinn Bay, ERR reported, citing Estonian Navy (Merevägi) Commander Commodore Ivo Värk.
The vessel, Kiwala, had previously been sanctioned by the EU and at least three non-EU countries, Canada, Switzerland, and the UK, due to past activities, and was en route to the Russian port of Ust-Luga.
Estonian authorities noted that the tanker has no flag state, meaning it lacks the legal authorization to sail in international waters.
“The purpose of the detention is to check the ship’s documents and legal status. The detention and the investigations being carried out are in no way related to damage to critical infrastructure, and the inspection on board is being conducted by the appropriate authorities,” Värk said.
Veiko Kommusaar, head of the Police and Border Guard Board’s (PPA) border patrols, added: “It is no secret that over the past year, a number of vessels have appeared in the Gulf of Finland that sail without proper documentation. And it can be stated quite clearly that this is part of the shadow fleet.”
On April 10, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced in his evening address that Ukraine is preparing new sanctions against Russia, including measures targeting its so-called shadow fleet.
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