The oil tanker that was held for 36 hours by Russian authorities, in what Estonia described as an unjustified detention, has departed without issues.
On 18 May, the Russian Federation detained the oil tanker Green Admire as it was departing from the Estonian Port of Sillamäe, following a previously agreed route through Russian territorial waters. According to the statement released by the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this navigational route which was selected for its maritime safety and not aligned strictly along national boundaries, has been established through mutual agreement between Russia, Estonia, and Finland.
Furthermore, the detention occurred three days after a Russian aircraft was reportedly dispatched in response to Estonia’s attempt to intercept what it described as a shadow fleet Russian tanker, with Estonia warning that Russia appears to be willing to defend with military force its shadow fleet – even through territorial waters of European countries.
Following the incident and to prevent similar incidents in the future, Estonia will redirect traffic to and from Sillamäe exclusively through Estonian territorial waters.
