Symbolic imagePutin threatens European ships as NATO blames Russia for drones
Putin threatened on Wednesday to seize European ships over EU confiscations of Russian vessels. NATO the same day blamed Moscow for drones over Poland and Romania.
Putin spoke on Wednesday, 12 August, at Pacific Fleet exercises, calling the seizures "piracy and robbery" and warning that Russia would respond in kind, "wherever we ourselves deem it necessary", including the Pacific. He said he had given the Defence Ministry a corresponding order, and fleet commander Admiral Viktor Liina said the navy had the assets to inspect and detain vessels of "unfriendly" states and their "shadow fleet". The EU's 21st sanctions package lets member states sell oil and grain seized from such tankers.
NATO reinforces the eastern flank
The North Atlantic Council called the airspace violations dangerous and unacceptable, a sign of Russia's growing tolerance for risk, and promised reinforcements from the Baltic to the Black Sea.
Sabotage warnings
Bloomberg reports that officials warn Russia is preparing sabotage and further attacks in Europe; FAZ notes the Leipzig drone attack hit one of at least five Ukrainian Antonov freighters based there since 2022.
Lithuania digs trenches
Lithuania plans ditches up to 150 metres wide along its borders with Belarus and Kaliningrad by the end of 2028, and restored marshland by 2030, Politika reported.
Other opinions
TASS relays Moscow's counter-charge that the EU abuses Operation Irini to obstruct commercial shipping, a claim the Western sources here do not report.