Kremlin official says Russian navy to stop West's seizure of merchant ships

"We believe that, as at all times, the best guarantor of navigation safety is the navy, Patrushev said in comments made to Moscow's Argumenty i Fakty newspaper, where he referred to piracy-like attacks by Western countries on Russian shipping. If we do not resist decisively, the English, the French, and even the Balts will soon be so bold as to try to block access to the seas for our country, at least in the Atlantic Basin, he warned."

"Patrushev said Russia had to be able to ship oil, grain and fertiliser to keep its economy operating. He accused Moscow's Western opponents of targeting one of the most important sectors of the Russian economy shipping. In the main maritime areas, including regions far from Russia, substantial forces must be permanently deployed forces capable of cooling the ardour of Western pirates, he said."

"He also said that Western powers were undergoing radical technological change and modernisation in their navies, amid what he called clear gunboat diplomacy from Washington over Venezuela and Iran. Russia believes, he added, that the NATO military alliance plans to blockade the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad on the Baltic Sea. By implementing their naval blockade plans, the Europeans are deliberately pursuing a scenario of military escalation, testing the limits of our patience and provoking active retaliatory measures, he said"

Russia warns of potential naval deployments to prevent Western powers from seizing sanctioned vessels carrying Russian oil. Russian officials describe Western seizures as piracy-like attacks and call for permanent deployment of substantial forces in major maritime areas, including regions far from Russia. The statements single out the United Kingdom, France and Baltic states as likely actors and express concern about blocked sea access, especially in the Atlantic basin. The comments emphasize protecting shipments of oil, grain and fertiliser to sustain the economy and allege NATO plans to blockade the Kaliningrad exclave, which could provoke military escalation and retaliatory measures.

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