Russian president Vladimir Putin has issued a stern warning that Moscow will retaliate if European countries proceed with seizing Russian merchant vessels.

Speaking during Pacific Fleet drills aboard the missile cruiser Varyag, Putin described the Western moves to detain vessels linked to Russia as a breach of international maritime law.

“This is nothing short of piracy and plunder,” Putin said. “If this happens, we will have to reciprocate.”

He added that the Russian response wouldn’t necessarily come in the waters where Western countries plan to seize Russian ships, noting that Moscow could retaliate “anywhere we consider necessary or reasonable, including in the Pacific Fleet’s area of responsibility.”

“We are witnessing how certain governments, in violation of international maritime law, are attempting to restrict the movement of our economic operators’ vessels … and have recently gone so far ⁠as to consider the possibility of seizing our vessels and selling off the property ​they ⁠have plundered from us,” said Putin.

“Naturally, this ‌is nothing less than piracy and robbery. And if this begins to be put into practice, we shall be forced to respond in kind. And not necessarily in ‌those waters where raids on our ships are ‌planned, but wherever we ourselves deem it necessary and appropriate, including within the area of responsibility of the Pacific Fleet.”

Putin said the Defense Ministry had already received instructions to prepare a response.

Addressing Russian sailors, Putin asked them to pay special attention to the matter. “The relevant instruction has already been issued to the Defense Ministry and the Pacific Fleet command has been informed of it, so I will be awaiting proposals in this regard,” the head of state said.

Russians conducted “detailed analysis” of maritime traffic in Asia-Pacific region

Pacific Fleet Commander Viktor Liina then told Putin that the Russian military had conducted a “detailed analysis” of maritime traffic in the Asia-Pacific region.

“We are aware of the routes, the cargoes being transported, and the ownership of each vessel,” Liina said.

Liina told Putin that Western states also transported goods on vessels flying flags of convenience which could also be described as a “shadow fleet.”

“We have the capabilities to inspect and detain vessels belonging to unfriendly states and their shadow fleet; inter-agency coordination is in place, and we stand ready to execute these tasks.”

Putin to cooperate with ‘friends’ in Arctic region as tensions mount

Tensions are rising in the neighbouring Arctic region, Putin noted on Wednesday.

“There is growing tension in the neighbouring Arctic zone, regarding the use of the Northern Sea Route. Russia has always upheld its unwavering commitment and reaffirms its readiness to work with others in the Arctic to benefit from the advantages the Northern Sea Route has to offer. Of course, within the framework of existing international maritime law,” Putin said while attending the Pacific Fleet exercises.

“Countries that want and are interested in working with us primarily include our friends: China, India, and other countries. They have been discussing these questions with us, and we will definitely welcome opportunities for working with our friends, as well as all countries willing to take part in this instrumental and extremely promising initiative to expand global logistics,” Putin concluded.

Meanwhile, the Russian foreign ministry has accused the European forces of carrying out “unlawful searches on foreign vessels.”

Medvedev: Armed forces capable of expanding operations beyond Black Sea basin

Dmitry Medvedev, who served as Russia’s president in 2008-2012 and is now deputy chair of Russia’s Security Council, noted that many Western European vessels sail under flags of convenience just like those merchant ships that sail under non-Russian flags but carry cargo in Russian interests – here Medvedev is referred to the so-called Russian shadow fleet.

“It means that, applying a reciprocal approach, which is only fair, Russia has the right to attack any merchant vessel belonging to enemy countries, whether in our waters or in neutral waters, if there are sufficient grounds to suspect that it is carrying cargo in the interests of the enemy. In other words, any cargo at all,” Medvedev said. “There are a great many such vessels, and our armed forces are capable of sharply expanding their operations beyond the Black Sea basin.”