Putin: Russia will respond in kind to seizures of its ships

Moscow will respond in kind to attempts by Western countries to seize Russian merchant vessels, President Vladimir Putin has said.

The Russian leader made clear that retaliatory measures could be carried out not only in the same waters where the seizures take place, but also “anywhere,” including the Pacific Ocean, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

Earlier, the US military seized Russian vessels during naval operations aimed at blocking the export of sanctioned oil and sold them for scrap.

Sweden also previously seized a Russian-linked shadow-fleet vessel and said it would transfer the vessel to Ukraine.

According to the Ukrainian sanctions commissioner, the ship was involved in stealing grain from occupied Ukrainian territory.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov