Russian invasion Boarded ships

Sweden can hand over Russian shadow ship to Ukraine – hailed as “groundbreaking”

The ship Caffa from the Russian shadow fleet, which the Coast Guard boarded outside Trelleborg this spring, can be handed over to Ukraine. The Supreme Court has decided not to take up the case, which means that the appeals court ruling stands, reports TV4Nyheterna.

Ukraine seems to have been reached by the ruling already on Wednesday. In a post on X yesterday, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha wrote that he welcomes the ruling. He believes that the ruling proves that determined efforts from authorities and the judiciary can “translate the principle of accountability into concrete results”.

“This ground-breaking ruling creates an important precedent”, writes Sybiha in the post.

This is the first time a foreign court has ruled that a Russian ship with links to stolen Ukrainian grain can be returned to Ukraine, according to the Kyiv Independent. 

Military expert: Russia may avenge Swedish verdict

Military expert Johan Huovinen warns that Russia may avenge Sweden after the judiciary approved the extradition of the boarded shadow fleet vessel Caffa to Ukraine.

In an interview with TV4Nyheterna, Huovinen says that the Russians want to send a signal. As an example, he mentions a legal process in Russia against something Swedish or going after Swedish assets that remain in the country.

– Tit for tat, or like for like, is like Russia's melody.

The Coast Guard boarded the ship outside Trelleborg in March. The legal process is now ending with the Supreme Court choosing not to take up the case.