Sweden has intercepted a cargo ship named Caffa in the Baltic Sea, believed to be operating as part of Russia's so-called 'shadow fleet', according to reports from the Swedish public broadcaster SVT. The command for the seizure was carried out in conjunction with the Swedish Coast Guard and police, as authorities aim to investigate the nature of the ship’s cargo. Out of the 11 crew members aboard, 10 are reported to be Russian nationals.

The Kremlin has publicly rejected the idea of a Russian 'shadow fleet', arguing that the term is used by Western nations to stigmatize vessels allegedly circumventing sanctions. Officials in Moscow claim that even if these ships are transporting goods that fall under sanctioned categories, there exists no legal foothold for Western powers to enforce such prohibitions beyond territorial waters, as specified under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The Caffa is reportedly listed on Ukraine's sanctions registry, which raises heightened concerns among Western authorities regarding the adherence to international law and sanctions protocols. This incident underscores the ongoing tensions between Russia and Western nations, particularly as they relate to maritime operations and the enforcement of sanctions amidst the ongoing conflict involving Ukraine.