According to Nikolai Patrushev, the seizure of the Eagle S ship is an example of NATO’s efforts to prevent Russia access to the Baltic Sea.
Russian president Vladimir Putin assistant and chairman of the Russian Maritime Committee Nikolai Patrushev claims that NATO is trying to prevent the activities of the Russian ports in the Leningrad and Kaliningrad regions.
In addition, the NATO countries strive to prevent Russia from entering the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland.
The Russian news agency reported this issue Tass.
According to Patrushev, for example, the seizure of the Eagle S ship is an indication of NATO’s endeavors.
Patrushev spoke on Thursday at Nizhni Novgorod at a meeting of shipping and river traffic.
“It should be noted that NATO’s activities in the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland, coordinated by Anglo -Saxon, are attempts to surround Russia and paralyze our ports in the Leningrad and Kaliningrad regions,” Patrushev said.
According to him, the Western countries also use “terrorist methods to weaken Russia”.
As an example, Patrushev mentioned the attack against the Russian vessel in the Mediterranean and the “Eagle S” pirate capture in the Baltic Sea. “
Patrushev said that Western efforts affect seafaring safety and weaken the maritime trade system.
In December, the Ursa Major ship, which was traveling from St. Petersburg Vladivostok, sank in the Mediterranean. At least two people died. 14 crew members were rescued. Russia claimed that the ship sank as a result of a terrorist attack.
Eagle S, an oil tanker who sailed under the flag of the Cooks Islands, was on its way from St. Petersburg to Egypt. The ship is suspected to have damaged the Estlink 2 electric cable between Finland and Estonia on Christmas Day.