Russia Asserts Commitment to Safeguard Naval Assets in the Baltic Sea

By Bloomberg New (Bloomberg) — The Kremlin has made it clear that Russia will protect its ships in the Baltic Sea using all lawful means. this statement comes on the heels of a recent incident where a Russian fighter jet briefly entered NATO airspace while Estonian officials attempted too inspect a tanker operating in their economic zone. Presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized, “We have various options at our disposal, all within international law.” He pointed out that recent events, including an alleged pirate attack on one of these tankers, showcase Russia’s readiness to respond decisively.

Concerns are mounting among Baltic nations regarding vessels transporting Russian oil overseas—a meaningful revenue stream for Moscow. These countries fear potential security threats from these ships,which could damage vital infrastructure like power and internet cables or pose environmental hazards due to their age and questionable insurance coverage from obscure companies.

interestingly, since many of these vessels do not fly the Russian flag, Moscow has largely refrained from direct action or commentary until now. Though, tensions escalated last week when a Russian jet briefly crossed into NATO airspace as Estonia’s navy sought to inspect a tanker carrying oil.

In another development over the weekend, Russia detained a ship transporting shale oil from Estonia but allowed it to continue its journey after two days anchored near one of its islands.

Baltic leaders are taking steps against shadow fleet tankers operating in their waters by scrutinizing their insurance policies and adherence to international regulations. Authorities in Germany, Finland, and Estonia have already detained several such vessels recently.

On Wednesday morning, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk reported that a sanctioned Russian ship was spotted making “suspicious maneuvers” close to the undersea cable linking Poland with Sweden. He noted that after prompt military intervention by Poland’s forces, the tanker headed back toward Russia.

Despite losing much of its foothold in Europe’s oil market, Baltic ports remain crucial for shipping crude and petroleum products destined for Asia and Latin America.

© 2025 Bloomberg L.P.
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