Moscow: A senior ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned European countries against seizing Russian ships, saying Moscow could respond with naval action if such steps continue.
Nikolai Patrushev, a top security official and influential Kremlin figure, said Russia would defend its vessels and could take retaliatory measures against European shipping if its ships are detained. He described potential seizures as illegal and accused Western states of engaging in maritime piracy.
The warning comes as European governments step up enforcement of sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Western nations have been tightening restrictions on Russian oil exports and financial flows, and discussions have intensified around stronger action against tankers suspected of helping Moscow bypass sanctions.
Officials in Europe have been monitoring a network of aging tankers often described as a shadow fleet, believed to be used to transport Russian oil outside the price cap system. Some vessels linked to sanctions evasion have already been detained in recent enforcement actions.
Russia denies operating a sanctions evasion fleet and argues that interference with its shipping violates international law and threatens freedom of navigation.
Patrushev also warned against any attempt to block Russian maritime routes, including access to the Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad. He said such actions would be viewed as hostile and could trigger a response from Russia’s navy.
The remarks reflect growing friction between Russia and Western powers as the war in Ukraine continues and sanctions pressure intensifies. European leaders are seeking ways to curb energy revenues that help finance Moscow’s war effort, while Russia has framed these measures as economic warfare.
Security analysts say the dispute raises concerns for global shipping routes and energy markets. Any escalation involving naval deployments or ship seizures could increase tensions at sea and disrupt oil transport flows.
Despite the rhetoric, legal and diplomatic hurdles remain, and European governments have not yet agreed on a unified framework for large scale seizures of vessels linked to sanctions violations.