Nikolai Patrushev, a senior Kremlin official, warned Russia could use its navy to prevent European states from seizing Russian ships and might retaliate against European shipping. He singled out Britain, France and the Baltic states and urged permanent, modern naval deployments even far from Russian shores. Patrushev accused the US of "gunboat diplomacy," said a 2050 naval shipbuilding plan will be submitted soon, and called any blockade of Kaliningrad illegal. He dismissed "shadow fleet" allegations as a legal fiction and warned that attempted blockades could provoke military escalation.
Kremlin Aide Warns Russia May Use Navy To Stop European Seizure Of Its Ships
Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to Security Council's Secretary Nikolai Patrushev as they visit a sports hall of the St. Petersburg State Marine Technical University in the city of Saint Petersburg, Russia, January 26, 2024. Sputnik/Alexei Danichev/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
Moscow, Feb 17 (Reuters) - Nikolai Patrushev, a senior Kremlin security official and close ally of President Vladimir Putin, warned on Tuesday that Russia could deploy its navy to prevent European countries from seizing Russian vessels and may take retaliatory action against European shipping if its ships are detained.
Context
Western governments have tightened sanctions aimed at weakening Russia's economy and in recent months have targeted oil tankers suspected of carrying Russian oil. In January the United States seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker amid efforts to curb Venezuelan oil exports.
Patrushev's Warning
Patrushev, who chairs Russia's Maritime Board, said Moscow must deliver a firm response and singled out Britain, France and the Baltic states.
"If we don't give them a tough rebuff, then soon the British, French and even the Balts will become arrogant to such an extent that they will try to block our country's access to the seas at least in the Atlantic basin," Patrushev told Argumenty i Fakty.
He added that Russia needs permanently deployed, substantial forces in major maritime regions — including areas far from its shores — to be "capable of cooling the ardour of Western pirates."
Naval Modernization And Wider Claims
Patrushev said major navies are undergoing rapid technological modernisation and accused Washington of practising "gunboat diplomacy" in relation to Venezuela and Iran. He said Russia will soon submit an updated naval shipbuilding programme through 2050 for approval.
He also claimed that NATO may be planning to blockade Kaliningrad, the Russian exclave on the Baltic Sea, and described any such naval blockade as illegal under international law.
"The concept of a 'shadow fleet', which EU representatives brandish at every turn, is a legal fiction," Patrushev said. The term refers to vessels Western governments say are used to evade sanctions.
Patrushev warned that pursuing blockade scenarios risks military escalation and could provoke "active retaliatory measures." He said that if diplomacy fails, "the blockade will be broken and eliminated by the navy."
(Reporting by Reuters; editing by Ros Russell)
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