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Putin threatens retaliation for Western seizures of Russian commercial vessels
Yahoo • • world
Key Points:
- Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned Western seizures of Russian commercial vessels as "piracy" and warned of retaliatory actions that could occur anywhere deemed necessary, including the Pacific Ocean.
- During a visit to a Russian warship, Putin emphasized that these Western detentions violate international maritime law and indicated Russia would respond in kind.
- Admiral Viktor Liina, Pacific Fleet chief, stated that the Russian navy is prepared to inspect and detain commercial ships from "unfriendly nations" and their so-called "shadow fleet," which operate under flags of convenience.
- Western countries, including France and the U.K., have detained tankers suspected of circumventing sanctions by using a fleet of ships linked to Russia, while the EU has sanctioned hundreds of such vessels.
- Dmitry Medvedev suggested Russia could target any merchant vessel from hostile nations, even in neutral waters, if suspected of carrying cargo benefiting enemies, signaling potential expansion of Russian naval operations beyond the Black Sea.
