London's attempts to seize ships linked to Russia will not go unanswered; Moscow is already developing appropriate measures, the Russian ambassador to the UK, Andrei Kelin, said.
“Such a decision will not go unanswered. Appropriate measures are being developed. Let this be a surprise for the British“, Kelin said, quoted by RIA Novosti.
He called on the British authorities “to carefully consider“ the consequences of their actions. Seizing the ships would lead to legal action and huge associated costs, the ambassador warned.
In late March, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer authorized the British military to detain ships in UK territorial waters that London believes are part of Russia’s covert fleet. The UK will deny sanctioned ships access to the English Channel, forcing operators to choose longer and more expensive routes.
Previously, British military and law enforcement officers underwent intensive training in several scenarios, including boarding ships that do not meet requirements, are armed or use high-tech surveillance systems, Starmer’s office explained.
In total, the UK has imposed sanctions on 544 ships it considers part of Russia’s covert fleet. Moscow considers Western sanctions illegal. The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that the West, under the guise of "the invented term hidden fleet, is committing robberies against maritime communications".