Any attempts to harass Russia’s merchant fleet must be fought “decisively,” just as piracy is, President Vladimir Putin has said.

The Russian leader made the remarks on Sunday during a meeting with commanders of the country’s standing fleets. In his speech, the president touched upon the “attempts by ill-intentioned parties to pressure our fleet, including the commercial fleet.” 

“In such cases, of course, we must act cautiously, within the framework of international maritime law, but decisively – just as piracy and pirates must be fought,” Putin stated. “I hope for your effective work in this field – protecting our fleet,” he told the commanders.

In recent months, the UK and multiple EU nations have repeatedly seized vessels they claimed to be linked to Russia and described as part of its supposed “shadow fleet” – what they claim is a vast fleet of shady merchant vessels, mainly crude oil tankers, which allegedly helps Moscow to circumvent sanctions. Hostile actions against such vessels have come under different pretexts, involving their supposedly poor technical conditions, flying a “false” flag, and other technicalities.

While the UK has been among the loudest advocates of decisive action against ships suspected of carrying Russian crude, it has long avoided direct involvement. Back in March, however, London claimed it had conducted a legal review clearing UK troops to board supposed Russia-linked vessels. At the time, Moscow condemned the move as a “deeply hostile step,” accusing the UK of laying the groundwork for “acts of piracy.”

Russia has consistently denied that it operates a shadow fleet and has condemned the seizure of vessels on the high seas, denouncing such incidents as acts of “piracy.” While in most cases the seized vessels have ultimately been released by their captors, the EU is now apparently seeking to broaden the legally questionable practice.

The latest package of sanctions against Russia, adopted by the bloc this week, includes a provision enabling member states to “dispose safely of Russian oil cargoes they seize and confiscate” and conduct “relevant operations, such as import, transfer, storage, management, and sale” of the oil from interdicted merchant vessels.