Russia declared it will employ "all means" to safeguard maritime shipping freedom. This is a response to recent incidents: an attack on the tanker "Arctic LNG 2" near Malta, seizure of the vessel "Dina" by the French navy in the Mediterranean, and detention of "Morskaya Sova 1" by the Swedish coast guard in the Baltic.

Moscow rejects the Western "shadow fleet" narrative as an EU construct designed to diminish Russian trade revenues. Only UN Security Council sanctions have legitimacy.

Security Council Secretary Patrushev stated they are considering naval escort for merchant vessels, mobile firing groups, and possibly PMC engagement. "Those seeking to transform the Baltic into NATO/EU internal waters must understand such actions will not pass without response."