According to a report by TASS on August 12, Russian Federation Security Council Vice Chairman Dmitry Medvedev wrote on the “Telegram” software stating that Russia has the right to attack any merchant ship carrying supplies for the enemy in neutral waters. Commenting on Western slanderous remarks about the so-called Russian shadow fleet, he wrote: “The vast majority of Western European ships also sail under the 'flag of facility'. What does that mean? This means that, based on the principle of reciprocity, Russia has the right to attack an enemy merchant ship as long as there are sufficient reasons to suspect that an enemy merchant ship is transporting goods for the enemy — whether it is in our own waters or neutral waters. In other words, any cargo can be a target! Moreover, there are so many such ships.” He issued the following warning: “Our armed forces are fully capable of significantly expanding the scope of operations beyond the Black Sea!” He also pointed out that Pacific Fleet Commander Linah reported this to President Putin on the 12th.

According to a report by TASS on August 12, Russian Federation Security Council Vice Chairman Dmitry Medvedev wrote on the “Telegram” software stating that Russia has the right to attack any merchant ship carrying supplies for the enemy in neutral waters. Commenting on Western slanderous remarks about the so-called Russian shadow fleet, he wrote: “The vast majority of Western European ships also sail under the 'flag of facility'. What does this mean? This means that, based on the principle of reciprocity, Russia has the right to attack an enemy merchant ship as long as there are sufficient reasons to suspect that an enemy merchant ship is transporting goods for the enemy — whether it is in our own waters or neutral waters. In other words, any cargo can be a target! Moreover, there are so many such ships.” He issued the following warning: “Our armed forces are fully capable of significantly expanding the scope of operations beyond the Black Sea!” He also pointed out that Pacific Fleet Commander Linah reported this to President Putin on the 12th.