The tanker departed Sillamäe on May 17, 2025, and was later tracked near Russia's Hogland Island, where it is currently anchored.

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna condemned the detention, citing it as evidence of Russia's unpredictable behavior and announced plans to redirect ships along alternative routes.

Typically, vessels departing Sillamäe navigate through Russian waters to avoid Estonia's shallow areas, but it is possible for larger vessels to pass without entering Russian territory.

Russia has detained the Liberia-flagged oil tanker Green Admire after it departed from the Estonian port of Sillamäe, amid rising tensions in the Baltic region, often referred to as a 'NATO lake.'

Since 2022, vessels exiting Sillamäe have been advised to reroute to avoid Russian maritime areas due to safety concerns.

In light of these developments, NATO has launched the Baltic Sentry initiative to enhance monitoring and security of Baltic Sea routes against shadow fleet activities.

The Green Admire was reportedly carrying a cargo of shale oil destined for Rotterdam, marking a significant incident for vessels leaving Sillamäe.

Kristjan Truu, head of Estonia's maritime service, confirmed that a warning was issued to the Green Admire's captain to avoid Russian waters, although the captain ultimately made the final decision.

In response to the detention, Estonia has alerted NATO allies, although NATO has not publicly commented on the situation.

Russia's foreign ministry has accused NATO of attempting to dominate Baltic shipping lanes and warned of potential responses to actions taken by NATO vessels.

On May 20, 2025, the EU and Britain announced new sanctions against Russia, coinciding with discussions among G7 countries to lower the price cap on Russian oil sales.

The agency has not established contact with Russian authorities or the tanker's owner regarding its detention, leaving the situation uncertain.