Russia warns that it will take measures to protect its oil tankers after their capture by the USA and France

Russia has announced that it will adopt all necessary measures to protect its oil tankers, after its ships were recently captured by the USA and France in international waters. The spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, stated that the Western sanctions justifying these captures violate international law and cannot be used to exercise jurisdiction in the open sea.

Russia reacted moderately after the capture of the oil tanker 'Marinera' by the US Navy, but became firmer after France confiscated the oil tanker 'Grinch'.

Currently, approximately 600 oil tankers are included on the EU sanctions list, but the actual number of ships in Russia's 'shadow fleet' could be as high as 1,400. Sweden and Finland have called for the extension of EU sanctions to include all ships in this fleet.