Greece will release a Russia-flagged crude oil tanker seized this week below EU sanctions linked to the battle in Ukraine, a coastguard spokeswoman stated Friday.

“The ship has been released and is loose to head,” the spokeswoman told AFP.

She said that Greek authorities had been satisfied that the vessel, which is reportedly sporting Iranian oil, has changed possession and is not bound by means of EU sanction guidelines.

The more than 115,000-tonne Pegas was originally headed to Marmara terminal in Turkey, according to the Marine Traffic website.

It was seized on Tuesday at Karystos anchorage, south of the island of Evia.

The ship is being renamed Lana, the coastguard spokeswoman said. She did not identify the new owner.

The ship is currently moored at Karystos anchorage with 19 Russians on board.

While the European Union has imposed a slew of sanctions on Russia over the invasion of Ukraine, oil and gas are not part of the punitive measures.