Russia Warns of Retaliation Over Seizure of Ships

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Nikolay Patrushev, an aide to the President of Russia, announced that Moscow will undertake retaliatory measures if European countries detain Russian ships. Patrushev indicated that Moscow possesses the capability to deploy its naval forces to prevent the seizure of its vessels by European nations, stating that retribution could be enacted against European ships should Russian ones be impounded.

The Kremlin aide issued a stark warning: “If we do not respond firmly to them, soon Britain, France, and even the Baltic states will become so arrogant that they will try to block our access to the seas, at least in the Atlantic Ocean.” He elaborated, “In important and key maritime areas, including those far from Russia, significant forces must be permanently stationed – forces that can extinguish the fire of Western pirates.”

These statements emerge as Western countries have sought to cripple Russia’s economy through sanctions. In recent months, efforts have been made to seize oil tankers suspected of involvement in Russian oil transport. For instance, in January, the United States seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker as part of broader efforts to restrict Venezuela’s oil exports.