Lavrov Says Western States' Detention of Vessels Threatens Freedom of Navigation

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Western interference with freedom of navigation is causing concern, according to Russian state news agency TASS.

Lavrov said European states have detained 12 vessels since January this year, according to TASS. He said the detentions were based on what he described as "made-up categories unknown to international law," citing the term "shadow fleet" as an example.

TASS did not specify which countries or vessels were involved in the detentions, nor did it provide additional detail on the circumstances of the seizures.

The term "shadow fleet" has been used by some Western officials and media to describe tankers and cargo vessels alleged to be linked to sanctioned trade, including oil shipments associated with Russia, though the source did not elaborate on this context.

Reuters and other outlets have previously reported on European authorities boarding or detaining tankers suspected of sanctions evasion, though TASS's report did not reference such coverage directly.

TASS did not report further comments from Lavrov on specific remedies or actions Russia might pursue in response to the detentions.