In response to perceived threats against its maritime assets, Russia has announced plans to deploy military vessels and mobile fire groups to protect tankers and other ships associated with its so-called “shadow fleet.” This decision follows reports of alleged attacks on Russian tankers at sea.
According to Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of the Russian Security Council, the government aims to utilize military resources to safeguard vessels exporting Russian cargoes, particularly those linked to the shadow fleet. He indicated that there is an ongoing “unprecedented campaign” against the Russian fleet, with a consistently high risk of maritime sabotage.
Patrushev mentioned that port captains may be required to ensure the escort of ships flying the Russian flag by mobile fire groups. Additionally, the government is considering equipping vessels with specialized protective measures. He did not rule out the possibility of military ships escorting tankers and other vessels identified as part of the Russian fleet.
Highlighting the potential for continued attacks, Patrushev referred to a recent incident involving the tanker Arctic Metagaz, which Russia claims was targeted by Ukrainian forces. As is customary, Ukraine has not commented on the Kremlin’s allegations.
The Arctic Metagaz has been ablaze since March 3 in the Mediterranean Sea while transporting liquefied natural gas. The vessel is currently under sanctions from the United States and the United Kingdom, and the incident may have resulted from a drone attack.
On March 4, Russia labeled the drone strike against the Arctic Metagaz as “international terrorism,” attributing the attack to Ukraine. Notably, the Kremlin has taken no action to rescue the vessel, which, as of March 18, remains adrift and abandoned by its crew.
In a related development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently announced that Ukraine is continuously enhancing its maritime drone capabilities, with new systems expected to operate even in oceanic conditions and underwater.
This has prompted concern within Russia, particularly following reports from Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service that revealed plans to increase the number of oil tankers operating under the Russian flag.
Russia is taking significant measures to bolster the security of its maritime operations in response to perceived threats, particularly following incidents involving attacks on its tankers. The deployment of military resources and the enhancement of protective measures reflect escalating tensions in maritime regions linked to the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.