Putin warns of retaliation for Western seizures of Russian commercial ships

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Wednesday that Western nations risk retaliation for allegedly seizing Russian commercial ships, branding such actions as "piracy." While touring a Russian warship participating in a Pacific naval exercise, Putin declared that detaining vessels linked to Russia violated international maritime law.

"It's nothing but piracy and robbery," he stated. "If this is done, we will be forced to respond in kind." He added that Russia could retaliate "in any area where we see it as necessary and appropriate", including outside the region where the seized ships were detained, such as the Pacific. Admiral Viktor Liina, chief of Russia's Pacific Fleet, informed Putin that the navy was prepared to initiate inspections of commercial ships serving unfriendly nations.

Liina noted that many of these vessels, operated by British, French, and other European carriers, were flying the flags of other nations, making them part of a "shadow fleet." Liina stated that Russia possessed sufficient assets for the inspection and detention of ships from unfriendly nations and their shadow fleet, and that they were ready to commence the task.

Russia is reportedly employing a fleet of hundreds of ships to circumvent international sanctions imposed in response to its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Both France and the United Kingdom have detained tankers suspected of being part of Russia's "shadow fleet" and shipping oil in violation of sanctions. The European Union has sanctioned hundreds of these ships.

Recently, Russia has deployed warships to escort its commercial vessels. Dmitry Medvedev, Russia's deputy head of the Security Council, noted that many European carriers use "flags of convenience," similar to Russian carriers. He argued that Russia has the right to attack merchant vessels belonging to hostile nations, both in Russian and neutral waters, if there is reasonable suspicion they are carrying cargo in the enemy's interest.

Medvedev emphasized that there are numerous such vessels, and Russia's military could expand operations significantly beyond the Black Sea region.