Putin threatens with revenge if the Russian ships are confiscated

The Russian President Vladimir Putin declared on August 12 that Russia will react firmly if European countries confiscate Russian commercial ships, calling these actions "piracy".

The statement was made in the context of the West intensifying measures against Russia's phantom fleet, made up of old tankers that evade sanctions. Putin emphasized that some countries violate international maritime law by restricting the movement of Russian ships and mentioned their confiscation as a provocation.

Recently, countries such as Sweden, France, and the United Kingdom have intercepted ships from the phantom fleet, and Swedish courts have handed over a ship to Ukraine. Additionally, the United States has confiscated a Russian tanker, marking a first.

Western authorities warn that these ships pose risks to international security and the environment due to their age.