Moscow to Respond in Kind if West Seizes Russian Commercial Vessels

The Russian president emphasized that it wasn’t just about the areas where Russian vessels could be seized but wherever Moscow found it necessary and reasonable

YUZHNO-SAKHALINSK, August 12. /TASS/. Moscow will retaliate if Western countries seize Russian commercial vessels, President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces Vladimir Putin said.

"If these plans are put into practice, we will have to respond in kind," he warned. Putin emphasized that it wasn’t just about the areas where Russian vessels could be seized "but wherever we deem it necessary and appropriate – anywhere, including in the Pacific Fleet’s area of responsibility."

Addressing Russian sailors, Putin asked them to pay special attention to the matter. "The relevant instruction has already been issued to the Defense Ministry and the Pacific Fleet command has been informed of it, so I will be awaiting proposals in this regard," the head of state said.

Putin stressed that while Russia aimed to bolster national security, it remained ready to seek mutually acceptable compromises with its neighbors and friends. "We are ready to do that based on respect for mutual interests," he pointed out.

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Putin is looking for some kind of use for the Russian Black Sea Fleet, as it was chased out of Crimea and now it is being attacked in the naval base at Novorossiysk.

Ukraine says it hit four Russian warships in Novorossiysk Aug 12, 2026

Ukraine’s General Staff said Ukrainian forces struck the Russian naval base at Novorossiysk overnight on August 12, 2026, damaging four Russian warships in what it described as a joint operation by Ukraine’s Defense Forces.

The General Staff identified the damaged vessels as the frigates Admiral Makarov and Admiral Essen, both Project 11356 ships, the Project 21631 small missile ship Buyan-M, and the Project 22160 patrol ship Vasily Bykov. The statement said the information was preliminary and still being confirmed. Novorossiysk, on Russia’s Black Sea coast in Krasnodar Krai, has served as a main harbor for the Russian Black Sea Fleet since Moscow relocated much of the fleet there following repeated Ukrainian strikes on its former base in Crimea.

https://defence-blog.com/ukraine-says-it-hit-four-russian-warships-in-novorossiysk/

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