Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened retaliation for Western seizures of Russian commercial vessels, branding the moves "piracy and robbery." Speaking aboard a Russian warship during Pacific naval exercises, Putin said Western detentions of vessels linked to Moscow violated international maritime law.
Putin's warning
Putin said: "It's nothing but piracy and robbery. If this is done, we will be forced to respond in kind." He stressed the response need not occur where ships were seized, warning Moscow could strike back "in any area where we see it as necessary and appropriate," including the Pacific.
Navy ready for inspections
Pacific Fleet chief Admiral Viktor Liina told Putin the navy was ready to begin inspections of commercial ships serving "unfriendly nations." Liina noted many vessels run by British, French and other European carriers fly foreign flags, creating a "shadow fleet."
"We have enough assets for inspection and detention of vessels of the unfriendly nations and their shadow fleet," Liina said. "We are ready to start performing the task."
Shadow fleet and sanctions
Russia is believed to operate hundreds of ships to dodge sanctions imposed after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. France and the UK have detained tankers suspected of belonging to this "shadow fleet," while the EU has sanctioned hundreds of such vessels. Moscow has begun escorting its commercial ships with warships.
Dmitry Medvedev, former president and now deputy head of Russia's Security Council, noted European carriers also use "flags of convenience." He warned a symmetrical approach would let Russia target any merchant vessel of hostile nations in its waters or neutral seas if suspected of carrying cargo for the enemy.
He added: "There are a great many such vessels, and our military is capable of dramatically expanding operations well beyond the Black Sea basin."
