EU forces board tanker sailing under false flag in Mediterranean

Britain, France and the European Union have stepped up maritime actions against tankers suspected of helping Russia evade oil sanctions, which Western officials say help fund its war in Ukraine. British forces boarded the Smyrtos in the English Channel, French forces intercepted the Deliver near Sicily, and EU Operation Irini personnel conducted flag checks on suspected shadow-fleet vessels in the Mediterranean. The EU said inspections of the MV Sun and MV Midag found suspected false-flag activity, with the Midag boarding confirming the vessel was sailing under a false flag. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc would continue disrupting the fleet at sea and through diplomacy, and EU foreign ministers were due to consider further sanctions targeting banks, oil buyers and companies that support its operations.