Russia Accuses EU of Using Operation Irini to Block Russian Shipments
The European Union is using the naval operation 'Irini', being conducted off the coast of Libya, to counter maritime shipments of oil and other cargo in Russia's interests, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Wednesday.
Consensus
- The EU is using the naval operation 'Irini' off the coast of Libya for purposes beyond its original mandate.
- The original mandate of operation 'Irini', approved by the UN Security Council, has expired as of May 2026.
- The operation was originally intended to monitor arms embargoes, illegal oil exports from Libya, and human trafficking.
- Russia claims the EU is conducting unlawful inspections of foreign vessels and using them to intimidate commercial shipping.
- Russia asserts that the EU's actions constitute abuse of international law and an overreach of authority.
- Russia warns that it may respond with mirror measures if attacks on its civilian ships continue.
- The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that checking a ship's flag is theoretically allowed under maritime law but is being used as a cover for political motives.
Points of divergence
- The inspection of the ship 'Tao Payoh' involved a Polish patrol aircraft and a Greek patrol vessel, and the inspection lasted two hours. — tg_MID_Russia
- The EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, labeled routine maritime transport as illegal, which Russia claims demonstrates disregard for international law. — tg_MID_Russia
- The inspection of the 'Tao Payoh' was conducted by Italian military forces with support from a Greek patrol vessel, and Italy justified it based on the need to verify crew nationality. — vedomosti
- Russia stated that President Putin warned of mirror responses to seizures of Russian ships by unfriendly states. — vedomosti
- The Russian MFA emphasized that no internal EU decisions can override the freedoms guaranteed by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982. — interfax
Coverage (5 sources)
- The Russian Foreign Ministry called the 'Irene' operation an attempt by the EU to settle political accounts — Ведомости
- Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia regarding the unlawful actions of the European Union in relation to foreign ships (August 12, 2026… — МИД России
- EU uses operation off the coast of Libya to settle scores, said in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Вести
- Moscow considers the 'Irini' operation off Libya's coast an obstacle to oil shipments in Russia's interests — Интерфакс
- EU invites danger through "shadow fleet" inspections, Russian Foreign Ministry says — Вести