'Will respond in kind': Putin's warning to Europe over seizure of Russian ships

Putin stated that Moscow will be "forced to respond in kind" if any other attacks occur, stating that European ships will be seized.

Published on: Aug 12, 2026, 13:53:52 IST

By Danita Yadav

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Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday issued a warning to European countries over the alleged seizures of Russian ships and other vessels.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin visits the Russian Navy's guided missile cruiser Varyag as he oversees the final stage of a Pacific Fleet's naval drills on far eastern Sakhalin Island (AFP)

Putin stated that Moscow will be "forced to respond in kind" if any other attacks occur, stating that European ships will be seized.

This warning from the Russian president comes amid European plans to intercept and seize Russian vessels suspected of being part of Moscow's "shadow fleet".

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Danita Yadav
Danita Yadav is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times. Based in New Delhi, Danita serves as a pivotal voice in international reportage in the team. Operating under the mandate of delivering "without the noise", Danita excels at distilling complex geopolitical developments into lucid, objective narratives which prioritise factual accuracy over sensationalism. In HT, Danita has been recognised for her breaking news efforts and time-bound coverage of the Air India crash, which has driven over 2 million users to the website through trusted, factual coverage of the incident. Thriving in high-pressure editorial environments, Danita has also cultivated a reputation for navigating the nuances of global diplomacy and cross-border policy. With over four years of experience in the journalism industry, Danita has spent her years diving deep into the coverage of international relations and global conflicts. She has previously worked with the news teams at Outlook India and Times Network, covering a wide range of beats and topics, from education curricula and student protests to Indian politics and international conflicts such as the Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan wars. Danita earned her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from Kamala Nehru College, University of Delhi. Beyond the newsroom and her love for international relations, you'll find Danita 'geeking' out over books, music and BTS. Her appreciation for global pop culture and storytelling also added to her unique perspective on the "soft power" dynamics that increasingly have shaped international relations in the ever-changing global order.Read More

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