Putin warns of retaliation for Western seizures of Russian commercial ships

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday described Western seizures of Russian-linked commercial vessels as 'piracy and robbery,' warning that Moscow would respond in kind if the practice continued. He made the comments during a visit to a Russian warship taking part in a naval exercise in the Pacific.

Putin said Western governments' detentions of vessels linked to Russia amounted to a breach of international maritime law. 'It's nothing but piracy and robbery,' he said. 'If this is done, we will be forced to respond in kind,' he added, without specifying what form any retaliation might take.

The remarks come as Western sanctions targeting Russia have increasingly extended into maritime shipping, with several vessels suspected of carrying sanctioned cargo detained in recent months. Analysts say any retaliatory action could add fresh uncertainty to global maritime trade, with potential knock-on effects ranging from insurance costs to shipping-route planning for vessels operating anywhere near Russian-linked cargo.