Russian navy to prevent West’s seizure of merchant ships

A Russian official warns that Western powers seizing sanctioned vessels carrying Moscow’s oil are engaging in ‘piracy-like attacks’. The Kremlin aide, Nikolai Patrushev, suggests that Russia may deploy its navy to prevent such actions, particularly targeting the UK, France, and Baltic states. Patrushev accuses Western countries of targeting Russia’s shipping sector and warns of potential military escalation if blockades are attempted. France recently released a seized Russian-linked tanker after the owner paid a multimillion-euro fine, signaling consequences for evading European sanctions.

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