Russia against EU vessel checks off Libya’s coast
Russia’s Embassy in Italy has protested against European Union maritime actions carried out under Operation IRINI off Libya, arguing that the UN Security Council authorization for high-seas vessel inspections expired in May of 2026, as reported by Libya Review on August 21st.
The embassy accused the EU of continuing what has been described as unlawful actions against foreign vessels, including boarding ships as part of efforts to enforce sanctions targeting vessels associated with Russia’s “shadow fleet”.
The most recent dispute comes following the boarding of the Cameroon-flagged tanker Toa Payoh by the Italian naval vessel Thaon di Revel, the flagship of EUNAVFOR MED IRINI on August 2nd. Italy’s Defence Ministry stated that the tanker was subject to EU sanctions and was boarded to verify its nationality.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said the inspection lasted approximately two hours and the vessel was subsequently allowed to continue its voyage. Moscow argued that the incident shows what it has described as an expansion of Operation IRINI beyond its original legal framework.
Two particular mandates are the centre of the disputes, the first is the UN Security Council Resolution 2804, that extended authorization for states and regional organizations to inspect vessels suspected of violating the Libya arms embargo for six months, until May 25th, 2026. The Authoritization was not renewed when it expired. The other being the EU mandate for operation IRINI that remains in force until March 31st, 2027. The European Council extended the mission in March 2025 and broadened its monitoring and information gathering tasks to cover illicit maritime activity alongside arms trafficking and illegal Libyan petroleum exports.
Operation IRINI was launched in March 2020 as a way to support international efforts regarding Libya. The original key task was to aid in enforcing UN arms embargo through maritime, aerial and satellite monitoring. The mission also monitors illicit petroleum exports and gathers information on human smuggling networks.
Russia has repeatedly accused the EU of using IRINI to pursue unilateral sanctions against foreign exporting. The Russian Foreign Ministry said earlier in August that the operation was being used to obstruct commercial navigation and conduct inspections that Moscow considers incompatible with international law.
Operation IRINI is commanded by Rear Admiral Valentino Rinaldi and is headquartered in Rome. The EU said the mission was continuing its activities in July 2026, including vessel monitoring and flag-verification operations in the Mediterranean.
Libya Review, Maghrebi.org
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