Kremlin Claims Right To Defend Against 'Piracy'. Moscow said a Russian frigate escorted two UK‑sanctioned tankers — the Russian‑flagged Universal and the Cameroon‑flagged Enigma — through the English Channel. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said repeated piracy incidents in international waters had harmed Russia's economic interests and that Moscow would take measures to protect its shipping. Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer has authorised boarding and detention of Russian vessels suspected of evading sanctions.
Kremlin Says Russia Can Defend Against 'Piracy' After Frigate Escorted Sanctioned Tankers
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov in Moscow, Russia May 10, 2025. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/Pool/File Photo
MOSCOW, April 9 (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Thursday that Russia has the right to defend itself against what Moscow described as acts of piracy after Britain’s Telegraph reported that a Russian navy frigate escorted tankers subject to UK sanctions through the English Channel.
The Telegraph said the Russian navy frigate Admiral Grigorovich escorted two UK‑sanctioned oil tankers through the Channel: the Russian‑flagged Universal and the Cameroon‑flagged Enigma.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, responding to questions about the media account, said Moscow had observed repeated episodes it characterized as piracy in international waters and that Russia would act to safeguard the safety and economic interests of its shipping.
"Over the past few months, we have witnessed repeated incidents of piracy in international waters. These incidents of piracy have, among other things, harmed the economic interests of the Russian Federation," Peskov told reporters.
"The Russian Federation considers itself entitled to, and will certainly take, measures to protect its interests," he added.
The comments came after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said last month he had authorised the military to board and detain Russian vessels in British waters as part of efforts to disrupt a network of ships that, his government says, allow Moscow to export oil in defiance of Western sanctions.
This development highlights rising tensions between Moscow and London over enforcement of sanctions and the safety of commercial shipping in busy international waterways.
(Reporting by Dmitry Antonov; Writing by Anna Peverieri; Editing by Andrew Osborn)
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