President Vladimir Putin has threatened the European Union with a 'mirror response' to the seizure of Russian merchant ships, saying Moscow could act anywhere it deems appropriate, not just in the waters where detentions occur. Speaking to Pacific Fleet servicemen aboard the missile cruiser Varyag during the final stage of military exercises, Putin said Russia would respond 'there, where we ourselves consider it necessary and expedient, in any place, including in the Pacific Fleet's zone of responsibility.'
The statement marks a notable shift in the president's position, according to the independent outlet Agentstvo. In late July, Putin compared the detention of Russian vessels to piracy but urged officials to 'act carefully within the framework of international maritime law, but decisively.'
Pacific Fleet commander Viktor Liina said his forces were ready to carry out the task, adding that Russian military personnel have the capacity to inspect ships from 'unfriendly countries.' Earlier, presidential aide Nikolai Patrushev also floated the possibility of seizing vessels from countries that detain Russian tankers, remarking that 'we too may become interested in what they are carrying and where.'
Reuters has reported that since the start of 2026, nine tankers believed to be part of Russia's 'shadow fleet' have been detained in Europe, four of them in France. Ukraine's allies have also pressured flag states such as Barbados, Panama and Cameroon to deregister such vessels. Ukraine has told the International Maritime Organization (IMO) that shadow-fleet ships should be considered legitimate targets for its armed forces, as they help Moscow finance the war.