Russia is exploring options to enhance the security of ships flying the national flag. Presidential aide Nikolai Patrushev announced that the installation of special protection equipment on merchant ships is currently being worked out. The practice of escorting commercial fleets by naval ships and providing accompaniment through mobile fire teams coordinated through port captains is also being considered.
We are increasingly noting that political, diplomatic, and legal measures do not always work to counter the anti-Russian shipping campaign launched by the West.
According to Patrushev, if European countries create new threats at sea, Moscow is ready to promptly develop additional response measures.
The attack on the Russian tanker Arctic Metagaz in the Mediterranean Sea is described by the Kremlin as an outrageous incident and is classified as an act of international terrorism. Patrushev emphasized that the level of terrorist and sabotage risks for ships heading to Russian ports remains high. This is becoming one of the key arguments in favor of transitioning to more stringent physical protection measures.
For technical specialists and maritime transport operators, the new initiatives mean a possible change in security protocols: from the integration of self-defense systems on board to coordination with warships in high-risk areas. Implementation details are still being worked out, but the trend towards strengthening the protection of the civilian fleet has already been outlined at the state level.
