Russia began to protect its tankers with the help of warships

Russia demonstrates a tougher approach to protection of maritime transport in the Baltic. Corvette “Savvy” demanded do not approach the sanctioned tanker Kira K off the coast of Germany, and on the Russian LNG tanker Marshal Vasilevskiy were spotted large-caliber machine guns.

Russia is strengthening demonstrative protection of its maritime traffic in the Baltic Sea. June 30 Russian corvette “Savvy” intervened during surveillance of a sanctioned tanker Kira K near the Fehmarn Belt, and earlier Estonian services spotted a Russian LNG tanker Marshal Vasilevskiy with heavy machine guns on board.

These two episodes do not mean that Russia has already begun en masse escorting all tankers with warships or turning every merchant ship into a military objective. However, they show that Moscow is increasingly reacting to the risk of searches, detentions and attacks for ships related to Russian energy exports.

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Russian corvette prevented the seizure of a tanker, driving off the German coast guard

▪️On Tuesday, the oil tanker Kira K, which is under sanctions, was passing through the Fehmarn Sound in the Baltic Sea. A German coast guard ship, Bayeruth, began approaching it.… pic.twitter.com/2vljVqLlLb

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The corvette Soobrazitelny intervened near the tanker Kira K

The incident happened in the morning June 30 in the area of ​​the Fehmarn Belt, through which ships go from the Baltic to the Danish straits and further to the North Sea.

Sanctioned tanker Kira Kflying the flag of Panama, transported Russian oil from the Baltic region. Greenpeace classifies the vessel as part of the so-called “shadow fleet”, which is used to export Russian oil bypassing Western restrictions.

Greenpeace representatives, journalists and European politicians observed the passage of the tanker and recorded its movement. There was a German coast guard vessel in the area Bayreuthwhich ensured the safety of maritime traffic.

After this, a Russian corvette approached the area at high speed. “Savvy” with tail number 531. According to the head of the investigative direction of Greenpeace Nordic Mike Mararens, the Russian ship radioed the message: “Russian warship 531 is here. Stay away from Kira K.”.

However, it is important to clarify: the German coast guard did not attempt to seize or inspect Kira K. She was in the observation area and monitored security. After the radio warning, the tanker continued moving towards the Danish Straits.

Tanker under sanctions

According to maritime analytical platforms, Kira K left the Russian port of Primorsk on June 28, carrying more than 100 thousand tons of Russian oil. The ship is under sanctions EUGreat Britain, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, New Zealand and Ukraine.

Previously, Kira K was associated with the supply of Russian oil to India and other countries, as well as with operations for transshipment of oil between ships. Greenpeace and a number of analytical organizations consider it part of Russia’s “shadow fleet”.

The Fehmarn Belt episode itself became important not because of the actual collision, which did not happen, but because a Russian warship publicly intervened in a situation involving a civilian tanker in European waters.

Gas carrier Marshal Vasilevskiy spotted with machine guns

The story of the Russian LNG tanker attracted special attention Marshal Vasilevskiyowned by the Gazprom Flot structure. The Estonian Police and Border Guard have published photographs taken in the Baltic Sea in spring.

The photographs show two fortified firing positions on the sides of the ship’s bridge. They were equipped with machine guns, which experts identify as 12.7mm Kord. There were sandbags nearby.

Marshal Vasilevskiy is used to deliver liquefied gas between the port of Bolshoy Bor in the Leningrad region and Kaliningrad. The vessel plays an important role in supplying the Russian exclave located between Poland and Lithuania.

Reuters notes that the Estonian military did not see other civilian ships with installed weapons in their area of ​​​​responsibility. In the Baltic, where merchant ships do not typically carry heavy weapons, this seems an unusual and alarming move.

Why are there machine guns on a civilian ship?

There were no official explanations from Gazprom Flot or the Russian authorities. Possible reasons are discussed among experts:

• protection against maritime drones;
• deterrence of boarding or inspection attempts;
• protection of the Kaliningrad supply route;
• demonstration of Russia’s readiness to respond to pressure in the Baltic.

However, it should not be argued that machine guns automatically make the ship a full-fledged warship. Formally, Marshal Vasilevskiy remains a civilian gas carrier, but the presence of heavy weapons changes the level of risk for any boats, drones and services that might try to approach it.

What is known about the military and law enforcement officers

Some publications claimed that there were dozens of military personnel and FSB officers on board the Marshal Vasilevskiy. However, publicly confirmed data is much more cautious.

According to the Dossier Center, since August 2025, additional passengers have been recorded on certain ship voyages, some of whom could be associated with Russian security forces, the Russian National Guard, or the army. On most flights it was approximately 8–12 passengersand not about a confirmed permanent unit of 22 people.

Therefore, it is more correct to say that there could be persons associated with the Russian military or security forces on the ship, but their exact status, tasks and numbers have not been officially disclosed.

Why the situation is important for the Baltic

The Baltic Sea is becoming one of the most sensitive regions for confrontation between Russia and NATO countries. The routes of Russian oil, gas, warships and vessels connected to Kaliningrad pass through it.

After a series of detentions and inspections of ships related to Russian exports, Moscow is clearly keen to show that its merchant fleet will not be left unprotected. At the same time, European countries fear that arming civilian ships and escorting tankers with warships increases the risk of dangerous incidents.

Main

Russia has indeed begun to become more active in protecting certain maritime traffic in the Baltic. The corvette Soobrazitelny intervened in the situation around the tanker Kira K, and heavy machine guns were spotted on the gas carrier Marshal Vasilevskiy.

But it is impossible to say that the German coast guard tried to seize Kira K: only surveillance of the tanker and provision of security during the Greenpeace action were confirmed. There is also no evidence yet of massive armament of all Russian merchant ships. These are the first noticeable signs that Moscow is preparing its energy routes for a tougher confrontation in the Baltic Sea.

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