Russian leadership threatens to seize foreign vessels in response to fight against its shadow fleet

Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to seize foreign vessels, especially in the Pacific Ocean, in retaliation against efforts to combat his "shadow fleet." During a visit to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, where he participated in Pacific Fleet exercises, Putin expressed concern over countries violating international maritime law by restricting peaceful vessels belonging to Russian economic operators.

He warned that if these actions are carried out, Russia would respond, not necessarily in the waters where the attacks are planned, but wherever deemed necessary.

Putin also mentioned that he had already instructed the Russian Ministry of Defense to take appropriate action. He criticized the European Union and several nations for imposing restrictions on Russian operators' vessels. The Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Fleet of the aggressor state, Viktor Liina, shared that 1,001 vessels approached the Russian-controlled Kuril Islands in recent months, with 379 of them bearing flags from nations hostile to Russia.

In July, the European Union approved the 21st sanctions package against Russia, which included sanctions on oil traders and entities supporting Russia's "shadow fleet." In early August, the US Senate passed a comprehensive sanctions bill, also inspired by the late Senator Lindsey Graham, aimed at intensifying economic pressure on Russia.

This bill imposes tariffs of up to 100% on goods from countries that are the top buyers of Russian oil and gas or help circumvent sanctions. The Russian Defense Forces have continued to target vessels associated with Russia's "shadow fleet" in the Black and Azov Seas.