Russia again threatens “response” in the Baltic Sea

After the incidents with the “shadow” tankers, Moscow spoke about the “growing threats” and is demonstratively looking for ways to bypass the Baltic Sea.

Russia is preparing to “take countermeasures” due to Western pressure on its “shadow fleet” in the Baltic Sea. This is reported by the Estonian media ERR.

Thus, the Russian Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Nikolai Patrushev stated that Moscow is considering “response options” for the arrests of ships subject to sanctions. According to Patrushev, the proposals have already been submitted to Putin and “approved”. However, the content of the “countermeasures” is traditionally not reported.

Against this background, Russia is considering alternative routes for delivering cargo, in particular through the White Sea-Baltic Canal, in the event of a blockade of shipping in the Baltic Sea.

It should be noted that the escalation in the region was provoked by Russia. According to security expert Anton Gerashchenko, Patrushev’s threats have a propaganda purpose and are aimed primarily at the domestic consumer. At the same time, flirting with “alternative routes” is an attempt to cover up the vulnerability of Russian flows against the backdrop of sanctions and failed diplomacy.

The day before, USM reported that Russia had started naval escort of tankers of the “shadow fleet.”