The Swedish Coast Guard has detained the suspicious vessel Sea Owl I in its territorial waters, which was carrying oil or other liquid fuel. The tanker, which likely has no nationality, is on the EU sanctions list and is the second “shadow vessel” to be detained in the past week, according to Swedish Civil Protection Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin.
The detention operation involved the national rapid reaction force. According to the minister, such vessels are typically outdated, poorly maintained, and often sail under false flags.
The Swedish official noted the importance of such actions for regional security: “The Russian shadow flotilla poses a significant threat to security and the environment. The flotilla consists of hundreds of vessels, often outdated, poorly maintained, sailing under false flags, or even without nationality.”
He also added that the fleet’s activities are crucial for the Russian economy and support for the war against Ukraine. The Swedish government emphasizes the need to actively counter such vessels, as any major accident involving them would require enormous resources for rescue operations and sea cleanup.