DISINFO: Russia will not tolerate the EU’s piracy
SUMMARY
Piracy on the seas will not be tolerated and every attempt to seize a civilian vessel, bulk carrier, or tanker departing from Russian ports will be met with a mirror response, wherever Russia deems it necessary. In violation of international maritime law, the authorities of some countries have recently gone so far as to contemplate the possibility of seizing Russian vessels and selling the plundered property.
RESPONSE
This recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative falsely portrays action against fraudulent maritime practices as piracy. In reality, EU and partner measures do not target lawful civilian shipping but enforce international rules on safety, transparency, and compliance.
These measures are a direct consequence of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which triggered international sanctions and increased scrutiny of attempts to circumvent them. As part of its 21st sanctions package, the EU expanded restrictions against Russia’s shadow fleet, adding 41 vessels to the list of more than 600 vessels already sanctioned. The measures target ships involved in evading the oil price cap, supporting Russia’s energy sector, transporting military equipment, or carrying stolen Ukrainian grain.
As EU High Representative Kaja Kallas stated, these measures are intended to increase pressure on Russia’s shadow fleet and limit its ability to support Russia’s war effort.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO), of which Russia is a member, defines the shadow fleet as ships used to evade sanctions and engage in other illegal activities. Research shows that these vessels are used to transport sanctioned cargoes, often rely on deceptive practices, may operate without proper insurance, and can pose significant environmental risks in the event of accidents or oil spills. This directly contradicts claims that such activities are simply normal international trade. In 2026, the IMO also adopted new guidelines aimed at tackling maritime fraud and the misuse of flags, both common features of shadow fleet operations.
For more on Russia's shadow fleet, read our analysis here.
See similar cases that NATO legalises piracy in the Baltic Sea, that NATO pirates act against Russian-linked ships under the pretext of sabotage, that a total fiasco in the proxy war in Donbas pushed Europeans to piracy, that Poland wants to boost NATO’s piracy against Russian ships in the Baltic Sea, that Europe plans a maritime blockade of Russia in the Baltics and the confiscation of Kaliningrad, and that NATO plans terrorist attacks on Russian ships, pipelines, and tankers.