Putin inspects gas tanker and trawler in Vladivostok, warns of retaliation over ship seizures

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Zvezda shipbuilding plant near Vladivostok on Wednesday, inspecting a new gas carrier and a modern fishing trawler. The trip highlighted Moscow's push to expand its Arctic and commercial fleet capabilities.

During the visit, Putin warned that Russia would respond to Western seizures of its commercial vessels, describing such actions as "piracy and robbery." He said Moscow could retaliate "in any area where we see it as necessary and appropriate," including the Pacific, and not necessarily where the ships were detained.

Adm. Viktor Liina, chief of Russia's Pacific Fleet, told Putin that the navy was ready to begin inspections of commercial ships serving "unfriendly nations," noting that many vessels operated by British, French, and other European carriers fly flags of other countries, effectively forming a "shadow fleet."

The Pyotr Stolypin is one of five Arc7 ice-class tankers built for the Arctic LNG 2 project. One vessel is already shipping liquefied natural gas along the Northern Sea Route, while the Pyotr Stolypin is being prepared for delivery.

Putin also toured the Kapitan Yunak, a fishing trawler capable of catching and processing up to 60,000 tons of fish annually, underscoring Russia's investment in modernizing its fishing industry.