Estonia Detains Tanker from Russia’s Shadow Fleet
On the morning of April 11, the Estonian Navy detained the oil tanker Kiwala, a vessel from Russia's 'shadow fleet' that exports Russian crude oil and oil products to third countries.
The Gaze reports on this with reference to ERR.
Commander of the Estonian Navy, Commodore Ivo Värk, said that the detention was not related to suspicions of a threat to critical infrastructure.
Estonia began preparing for the operation on Thursday evening, and the operation itself began at three in the morning. A helicopter was involved in the operation.
At 4:19, the Kiwala tanker entered Estonian waters. According to MarineTraffic, the vessel is now east of Aegna Island, with two warships close by.
The vessel was under sanctions due to its previous activities in the European Union and was heading to Ust-Luga, Russia.
There are 24 people on the tanker. According to the Estonian authorities, the captain of the vessel is a Chinese citizen and is cooperating with the investigation.
The owners and managers of the vessel changed regularly to avoid direct ties with Russia and to hide the real beneficiaries.
Recently, the vessel has been flying the flag of Djibouti.
Read more: Can the West Curb Russia's Shadow Fleet?