Russia Detains Greek-Owned Oil Tanker in Baltic Sea
Russia detained a Greek-owned oil tanker on Sunday after it departed from an Estonian port in the Baltic Sea, according to the Estonian Foreign Ministry. The ministry promptly alerted NATO allies about the event, emphasizing concerns over Russia’s actions.
The Liberia-flagged vessel, Green Admire, was navigating through a designated channel that passes through Russian territorial waters as it left Sillamae port. This route is part of an agreement between Estonia, Finland, and Russia designed to avoid shallow waters in Estonian territory.
Navigation Channel and Incident Details
The Green Admire had left Sillamae port late Saturday and was anchored near Russia’s Hogland island by Sunday afternoon, based on vessel tracking reports. The ship was carrying Estonia’s shale oil, destined for Rotterdam.
Following the incident, authorities decided to reroute vessels to pass solely through Estonian waters when entering or leaving the port, avoiding Russian territorial waters altogether. This change aims to reduce future risks for shipping traffic in the area.
Regional Tensions Rise Amid Baltic Sea Confrontations
The Baltic Sea has recently been a hotspot for maritime confrontations. NATO members accuse Russia of attempts to bypass sanctions and sabotage critical undersea cables and pipelines. Such activities have heightened regional security concerns.
Just days earlier, Estonia reported that a Russian fighter jet entered NATO airspace above the Baltic Sea during an effort to intercept a tanker believed to be part of a ‘shadow fleet’ used by Russia to evade sanctions. These actions highlight ongoing tensions between Russia and NATO countries in the region.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the unpredictability of Russia’s behavior continues to challenge international maritime protocols and heightens geopolitical risks in the Baltic Sea corridor.
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