World · 12 August 2026

Russia will retaliate anywhere if European countries seize its merchant ships

The European Union has recently stepped up its crackdown on Moscow's fleet of sanction-dodging tankers. Speaking during military exercises on Sakhalin island on Wednesday, the Russian president labelled the threat of ship detentions as piracy. State news agency TASS reported that Moscow could strike back anywhere it chooses, rather than just where the original confiscations happen.

By BriefTea Editorial · 12 August 2026 at 11:55

Reported by Reuters · How we write briefs

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