Putin warns Russia will respond to any seizure of its commercial vessels

Wednesday 12 August 2026 - 12:30

By: Azzat Manal

Putin warns Russia will respond to any seizure of its commercial vessels

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Moscow would respond to any attempt to seize Russian commercial vessels, saying that such measures would be treated as an act of piracy and could trigger reciprocal action.

Speaking during the final phase of exercises involving Russia’s Pacific Fleet, Putin accused some countries of restricting the movement of Russian commercial operators in violation of international maritime law. He also referred to proposals to seize Russian vessels and sell their assets, describing such actions as unacceptable.

Putin said Russia would respond in kind if such measures were implemented, adding that Moscow could take action in any maritime area, including the Pacific Ocean. His comments come amid growing military and political tensions between Russia and Western countries.

The Russian president also criticized what he described as the expanding presence of NATO in the Asia-Pacific region, including the creation of new political and military partnerships and plans to deploy additional weapons systems. According to Putin, Moscow considers these developments a potential security threat.

At the same time, Putin said Russia does not regard Japan as a threat and has no territorial claims against the country. His remarks come as Tokyo has increasingly highlighted Russia among the security challenges facing Japan.

During the briefing accompanying the military exercises, Viktor Liina, commander of Russia’s Pacific Fleet, also warned of rising military and political tensions across the Asia-Pacific region.

Liina said Russia possesses the necessary forces and resources to detain vessels belonging to countries Moscow considers unfriendly, as well as ships associated with what Russia describes as a “shadow fleet.” He added that coordination between the relevant agencies had been organized and that they were prepared to carry out their assigned tasks.

The statements underline Moscow’s growing focus on maritime security and its concerns over international restrictions affecting Russian shipping. They also reflect the broader deterioration in relations between Russia and Western countries, as tensions increasingly extend beyond European waters into the strategically important Asia-Pacific region.