EU to expand Mediterranean naval mission to target Russia's shadow fleet

The EU is set to broaden its Mediterranean naval mission to counter Russia's shadow fleet, protect subsea infrastructure and engage in naval diplomacy with Northern African countries.

Brussels is set to expand its naval mission off Libya into a broader Mediterranean security operation targeting Russia's shadow fleet and threats to critical maritime infrastructure.

The mission, codenamed EUNAVFOR MED IRINI, would be extended until 31 March, 2029, under a draft Council decision obtained by Euronews.

Created in 2020 to enforce the United Nations arms embargo on Libya, the operation would take on a wider role monitoring illicit activity, protecting infrastructure and combating migrant smuggling.

Its current mandate expires in March 2027. The draft would extend it for another two years, with a €16.88 million budget, while significantly broadening its scope.

In June, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the operation had changed its rules of engagement and begun boarding ships suspected of belonging to Russia's shadow fleet.

The revised mandate would explicitly make limiting Russia's shadow fleet one of IRINI's tasks. It says the operation should contribute to that effort while respecting the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and other international rules.

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