Sanctioned Russian shadow fleet stopped, not seized? Europe shows up with muscle but can't detain it

The European Union has stepped up enforcement of sanctions targeting Russia's so-called "shadow fleet," with an EU naval mission boarding the tanker Toa Payoh in the Mediterranean. According to reports, the Italy-led EUNAVFOR MED operation, supported by Greek and Polish military assets, inspected the vessel's registration documents and flag status after it reportedly switched to a Cameroonian flag. The inspection lasted about two hours, and the ship was allowed to continue its voyage as the mission lacked authority to detain commercial vessels. Authorities are now reviewing the collected documents as Europe intensifies sanctions enforcement against Russia.