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Italian authorities and the EU inspected the Toa Payoh tanker to verify its nationality and flag registration.

An Italian military team, supported by Greek and Polish assets, boarded the Toa Payoh tanker to verify its nationality and flag registration in international waters. The vessel, which belongs to Russia's so-called shadow fleet and is subject to EU sanctions, was sailing under the flag of Cameroon while traveling from Benin to Istanbul. Initially, the captain of the Toa Payoh refused to cooperate with the inspection. This prompted the Italian Ministry of Defence to deploy a military team from the flagship of the EUNAVFOR MED IRINI operation, the ITS Thaon di Revel, via helicopter. The inspection lasted approximately two hours and was completed safely. The operation was conducted under an EU mandate to monitor Russian assets and ensure navigational safety. The Italian Ministry of Defence stated that the documents collected during the inspection are currently under review by European authorities to determine potential implications under the sanctions regime.

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