The European Union’s European External Action Service (EEAS) has urged the member states to support a maritime declaration that would allow EU nations, working with flag states, to inspect Russia’s “shadow fleet" of oil tankers.

Politico quoted an EEAS document as stating that the issue of ships transporting Russian oil sailing under different flags to escape EU sanctions has wide implications for the bloc, as those vessels not only help to boost Moscow’s war economy but also “pose threats to the environment and to navigation safety".

It further stated that the shadow ships are a risk for critical infrastructure and “can be used as platforms for hybrid attacks against EU territory".

The EU body said that some of the vessels are suspected to be used as launch pads for Russian drones to g

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