Putin threatens to seize European ships in retaliation for EU shadow fleet crackdown

Putin's warning from the Pacific

Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened on 12 August to seize European merchant vessels in retaliation for EU actions against Russia's shadow fleet, speaking aboard the cruiser Varyag, flagship of Russia's Pacific Fleet, during naval exercises off the island of Sakhalin. He called the EU's approach a violation of international maritime law and warned that Russia would respond "symmetrically."

“Of course, this is nothing short of piracy and banditry. And if this is actually put into practice, we will be forced to respond in kind.”

Putin said any Russian retaliatory action would not be limited to waters where Russian ships were seized but "will happen wherever we deem it necessary and appropriate," explicitly citing the Pacific Fleet's area of responsibility. He also accused NATO of making inroads into the Asia-Pacific region and creating tension in the Arctic, saying new weapons systems posing a threat to Russia were being deployed or slated for deployment.

EU sanctions and shadow fleet seizures

The warning follows the EU's latest sanctions package, approved in late July, which allows member states to sell oil and other goods seized from vessels suspected of belonging to Russia's shadow fleet. The EU has sanctioned over 670 vessels, with 41 added in the most recent package. Several countries have physically intercepted ships: the UK seized the tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel in June; France, Belgium, and Sweden have carried out similar operations. Since the beginning of 2026, at least 10 shadow fleet ships have been seized by these countries. The United States seized a tanker in January and recently sold it for scrap, though Putin limited his criticism to Europeans.

Sweden has decided to transfer a seized Russian cargo vessel to Kyiv. The ship, intercepted in early March, was suspected of transporting Ukrainian grain stolen from occupied territories, according to Kyiv. A European naval force also boarded the Toa Payoh in the Mediterranean this month to check its flag and documentation, but could not confiscate it for lack of a mandate. France separately intercepted the tanker Tagor in the Atlantic.

Medvedev's broader threat

Former Russian president and current deputy chair of the national security council, Dmitry Medvedev, issued a more explicit threat on his Telegram channel. He said Russia had the right to attack any merchant vessel of hostile countries in Russian or neutral waters if there was sufficient suspicion it carried cargo for the enemy, referring to Ukraine. He said this applied to any cargo and any ship, including outside the Black Sea.

“The dogs of Western Europe are barking hysterically about the so-called Russian shadow fleet. The overwhelming majority of Western European ships fly flags of convenience. What does this mean? It means that, following a symmetrical approach, Russia has the right to attack any merchant vessel of hostile countries, both in our waters and in neutral waters, if there is sufficient suspicion that it transports cargo for the enemy.”

Pacific Fleet readiness

Admiral Viktor Liina, commander of the Pacific Fleet, told Putin that his forces had conducted a detailed analysis of maritime traffic near the Kuril Islands. Between 24 April and 6 August, 1,001 ships passed through the area, of which 379 flew flags of countries Moscow considers "hostile," including 26 British and 9 French vessels. Liina said the fleet "has the means to detain ships of hostile countries and their shadow fleet" and is "ready to begin fulfilling these missions."

Total ships1,001

Under 'unfriendly' flags379

British-flagged26

French-flagged9

Total ships

1001 ships

Under 'unfriendly' flags

379 ships

British-flagged

26 ships

French-flagged

9 ships

Data from the article text

Putin, wearing naval uniform, inspected the exercises and said they were necessary to maintain combat readiness and protect Russia's interests in the Asia-Pacific region. He noted the drills incorporated experience gained by the Russian army in the war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year. The exercises come one week before planned joint military drills between the United States and South Korea simulating a potential attack by North Korea.