AI Generated Image
Putin warns of retaliation over Western vessel seizures, calls them piracy
AP News • • general
Key Points:
- Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned Western seizures of Russian commercial vessels as "piracy" and warned Russia would retaliate, potentially in any maritime area deemed appropriate, including the Pacific.
- During a naval exercise visit, Putin was informed by Pacific Fleet chief Adm. Viktor Liina that the Russian navy is prepared to inspect and detain commercial ships from "unfriendly nations" and their "shadow fleets," which often operate under flags of convenience.
- Russia is believed to use a large fleet of ships to circumvent international sanctions imposed after its invasion of Ukraine, with Western countries like France and the U.K. detaining tankers suspected of violating these sanctions.
- Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, justified potential Russian attacks on merchant vessels belonging to hostile nations under a symmetrical response policy, extending operations beyond the Black Sea.
