Russia Says It Can Attack Western Ships
Dmitry Medvedev stated that Russia has the right to attack any commercial vessel from enemy countries in its own or neutral waters if there is sufficient suspicion it is transporting goods for Ukraine's benefit, citing the use of 'convenient' flags by Western ships as justification.
Consensus
- Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, made statements about Russia's right to attack commercial vessels.
- Russia claims the right to attack any commercial vessel in its own or neutral waters if it is suspected of transporting goods for Ukraine.
- The vessels in question are described as trading ships flying non-Russian 'convenient' or 'beneficial' flags.
- Medvedev stated that most Western European ships also use such flags.
- The statements were made in Medvedev's Telegram channel on August 12.
- On the same day, Vladimir Putin observed exercises of the Pacific Fleet and warned of mirror responses to any seizure of Russian commercial vessels.
Points of divergence
- Medvedev claimed that Western countries have no right to detain such ships under either the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea or national legislation, calling it 'pure arbitrariness'. — riamo
- Medvedev stated that the commander of the Pacific Fleet reported this capability to Vladimir Putin on August 12. — vedomosti
- Medvedev emphasized that Russia can apply a symmetrical approach, calling it fair, due to the widespread use of convenient flags by Western ships. — vm
- Medvedev specifically mentioned that the cargo must be for Ukraine's benefit, using 'Kyiv' as the reference point. — tg_rian_ru
Coverage (4 sources)
- Medvedev: RF is entitled to attack any Western European trading vessel — РИАМО
- Medvedev: Armed Forces of the Russian Federation may attack any European vessel under a 'convenient' flag — Ведомости
- Medvedev: Russia may attack ships carrying enemy cargo in neutral waters — Вечерняя Москва
- Russia may attack any vessel of enemy countries if there are sufficient suspicions that it is carrying cargo in the interest... — РИА Новости (Telegram)
Key entities
- Russia
- Dmitry Medvedev
- Council of Ministers
- Armed Forces
- VS
- Security Council
- Kyiv
- RIA Novosti
- United Russia
- Black Sea basin