Sweden Inspects Sanctioned Russian Freighter After It Enters Territorial Waters
Swedish authorities boarded the Russian vessel Adler, an EU-sanctioned ship, after it reported engine trouble in their waters. The inspection involves multiple agencies amid suspicions of illicit transport.
Swedish authorities are conducting a cargo inspection of a Russian-flagged freighter, the Adler, after it anchored in the country’s waters following an engine failure. The operation was launched because the vessel’s owners are on the European Union’s sanctions list, raising security concerns in the Baltic Sea region.
The night-time operation, which began early Sunday morning, involves a multi-agency task force including the Swedish Customs Administration, Coast Guard, National Task Force, and Security Service. The incident highlights the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Baltic, amplified since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Sequence of Events
- Dec 15: The Adler departs from the Russian port of St. Petersburg. Its final destination has not been disclosed.
- Dec 19 (Fri): The vessel suffers engine problems and anchors in Swedish waters off Hoganas.
- Dec 21 (Sun), approx. 01:00: Swedish authorities board the ship to begin a customs inspection.
The direct trigger for the inspection is that the vessel’s owners are designated under EU sanctions.
Official Statement
"Shortly after 0100 (00:00 GMT) last night we boarded the ship with support from the Swedish Coast Guard and the police service in order to make a customs inspection. The inspection is still ongoing."
Hoglund declined to comment on what, if anything, the customs service has found on board the 126-meter roll-on, roll-off container carrier.
Sanctions and a History of Suspicion
The Adler and its owners, M Leasing LLC, are not only on the EU's list but are also subject to U.S. sanctions. According to OpenSanctions, a database tracking sanctioned entities, both are suspected of involvement in weapons transport.
This isn't the first time the Adler has been boarded. In January 2021, Greek forces inspected the vessel in the Mediterranean. That operation was conducted under the banner of the EU's Operation Irini, which enforces the UN arms embargo on Libya.
While the ship's entry into Swedish waters was officially due to mechanical failure, its sanctioned status and history mean the outcome of the ongoing inspection is being watched closely by security officials across Europe.
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