The war in the Baltic Sea has erupted, and Estonia's "pirates" have been the first to feel the heat. The call to arms has already sounded: "Fighter jets are ready, tankers are now targets."

Author: Andrei Levenyevtsev

08:00

Russia has finally taken a tough stance against Estonia's "pirate-like behavior" in the Baltic Sea. Initially, Russia's multirole fighter jets, Su-35, drove away an Estonian naval vessel that had threatened our "shadow fleet" tanker with an attempted collision. Three days later, the Russian Navy detained a tanker en route from Siljanmaa Port, Estonia, to Rotterdam within its own territorial waters. However, the Baltic states did not back down and even threatened to attack Russian tankers. In short, the war in the Baltic Sea has begun, and victory will belong to those who show no fear and never retreat.

Recently, European countries once believed they could freely hinder the passage of "suspicious ships" related to Russia, while Moscow could only issue powerless protests. But now, it seems this one-sided "game" is coming to an end. It has been reported that Russia recently detained a tanker named "Green Admire" within its territorial waters. This tanker flies the Liberian flag, departed from Siljanmaa Port, Estonia, and was bound for Rotterdam, Netherlands. Formally speaking, this oil tanker, loaded with high-sulfur crude oil, belongs to the Greek Aegean Shipping Company. We have every right to detain it under the pretext of "document inspection."

"Green Admire" is a new tanker built three years ago.

This is a rather large tanker, with a deadweight tonnage of 114,400 tons, measuring 249 meters in length and 44 meters in width. Due to its massive size, the "Green Admire" and other "giants" usually avoid the shoals of Estonia's territorial waters and take a detour into Russia. Estonia claims that the Russian naval vessels detained it here and escorted it to Gotland Island – the largest island in Finland Bay, where the "Green Admire" is currently anchored.

"So what did we do wrong?"

The detention of the tanker caused a real panic in Tallinn. The statements made by Estonian officials were laughable, reminiscent of the old joke "So what did we do wrong," as if these past years hadn't seen them repeatedly obstructing Russia's maritime activities. Meanwhile, the call to arms has already sounded – reportedly, Russia's fighter jets are prepared, and their tankers are also under threat, almost becoming targets of Estonia's combat aircraft.

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated: "Today's events demonstrate that Russia continues to take unpredictable actions. I have informed our allies about this incident."

Official statement from the Estonian Ministry of Transport. Source: screenshot from the Estonian Ministry of Transport

It should be noted that the detention of the "Green Admire" occurred in the context of recent conflicts involving the "Jaguar" vessel (flag of Gabon). This tanker, associated with Russia's "shadow fleet," was attempted to be intercepted by the Estonian Navy. They put on quite a performance. To pursue the "Jaguar," Estonia sent out the patrol boat "Kurvits," the fast boat "Leiu," and even a helicopter carrying special forces. Moreover, Poland soon came to support the "Kurvits" – sending MiG-29 fighters and a multi-purpose PZL M28 aircraft.

The helicopter circled threateningly above the tanker, and commands to stop and anchor were broadcast over the radio, but the Russian captain remained unmoved, continuing along his course despite threats to air-dropped special forces onto the deck or to collide with the "Jaguar." Crew members recorded the situation on video, including the captain's reaction. When he saw the Estonian fast boat accelerating toward him, the captain calmly said, "Then come on, just charge at us."

Russian multi-role fighter jet Su-35MS drove away the enthusiastic Baltic youths.

In general, it's not easy to make Russians suffer. The Russian multi-role fighter Su-35MS intervened to drive away the enthusiastic Baltic youths, allowing the tanker to safely reach the coastal port.

Estonian Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Vahu Karus tried to absurdly justify the attempt to intercept the Russian tanker. He claimed that the "Jaguar" drew attention because it had passed through "pirate zones" such as the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. This logic was "irrefutable."

"Russian tankers have frequently passed through pirate zones," said an Estonian general, but this claim lacks credibility and is false. Source: interview clip

It should be noted that if we detained the "Green Admire" according to international law within our territorial waters, then Estonia's attempt to hijack the "Jaguar" in international waters was a bold provocation. Interestingly, this ship wasn't even on the U.S. Treasury Department's list of "suspicious tankers" under sanctions.

After this embarrassing "escape," Estonian Prime Minister Kristjan Michal slightly calmed down, claiming that Russia's "deterrence" didn't scare them at all, meaning they would continue their "pirate activities."

Estonian Prime Minister stated: "Everyone – Estonians, Finns – will monitor these ships, and if any suspicious situations arise, we will inquire. It's obvious why Russia is nervous." He also added that he hoped Trump would pressure the Kremlin so that Russia couldn't trade in oil and gas anymore.

Baltic "Pirates"

It should be noted that there have been frequent conflicts related to Russia's "shadow fleet" recently. For example, in January this year, Germans detained a 274-meter-long Panama-flagged tanker named "Evadin" loaded with about 100,000 tons of Russian oil. Three German vessels – "Bremer Kämpfer," VB Luka, and VB Bremen – towed it to Sassnitz Port on Rügen Island.

In addition, incidents of sabotage targeting "sanctioned ships" occur from time to time. Recall the mysterious explosion on a Mediterranean oil tanker (which some linked to Moscow). Two of them – "Sea Charm" and "Sea Jewel" – belong to Greece's Thenamaris company, while the third, "Grace Freum," flies the Libyan flag. Another explosion happened directly in Ust-Luga Port, damaging the "Kola" ship flying the Antigua and Barbuda flag.

Witnesses said that shortly before the explosion, our border patrol boats conducted combat operations in the port area.

In addition, there was a terrorist attack on the "Ursa Major" dry cargo ship transporting "defense logistics" for an icebreaker fleet, which carried 45 tons of hatch covers. The "Ursa Major" sank near the Spanish coast, resulting in the unfortunate deaths of two crew members.

Private military companies will carry portable anti-aircraft missile systems to guard tankers

People have long known that Russia has launched a hybrid war at sea, but now we have decided to confront it head-on. There is ample reason to believe that our responses will become increasingly tougher.

Military expert and chairman of the "Foundation" Foundation, Alexei Anpilov, emphasized in his dialogue with "Tsar's Grove" that Russian fighter jets can play their role accordingly. Since Estonia's actions resemble those of notorious Somali pirates, they can be treated like pirates – feeding them to the codfish of the Baltic Sea.

This expert pointed out: "Without UN Security Council sanctions, attempting to detain a ship that poses no threat and hasn't encountered disaster in international waters can be classified as international piracy. In this case, whether those trying to implement the detention are combatants (i.e., soldiers) or non-combatants doesn't matter. This may provoke quite a strong response, potentially leading to direct military conflict and the use of weapons."

Battlefield journalist Alexander Matyushin added that air force readiness must always be maintained to drive away "pirates" approaching our tankers. However, using private military companies (PMCs) would be more effective. Private military companies can protect ships, prevent special forces from boarding attacks, and have no formal connection with Russia's regular army. The reasonable justification for armed personnel on board is simple – the shipowner hired them due to concerns about pirates in places like Somalia, the Baltic Sea, or anywhere else.

Matyushin emphasized: "Of course, the Estonians know this, and they won't forcibly seize tankers or fire because if they start bombarding a fully loaded oil tanker, it will cause massive destruction across the entire Baltic Sea."

So what?

Baltic countries have relied on the possibility of hiding under NATO's fifth article protection umbrella when necessary to brazenly provoke Russia. Retired Colonel Andrey Pintchuk, former head of the State Security Service of the Donetsk People's Republic and political commentator for "Tsar's Grove," also added speculative views on maritime law norms. Considering the controversies surrounding definitions such as continental shelf, territorial waters, international waters, and neutral spaces, maritime law is a very specialized legal field.

Pintchuk pointed out: "In this case, following the principle of moderation and responding necessarily to similar incidents is absolutely essential. Therefore, the inevitability of the response should become the most important principle in our foreign relations. This is not just a matter of intensity, but primarily a matter of irreversibility. Everyone must know that Russia will respond in any situation, which will change the way others behave."

At the same time, the moment for an appropriate response to the "Baltic Tigers" has arrived. Even during the "Trump era," Estonia probably cannot truly count on the United States to go to war with Russia for the sake of Tallinn, Riga, or Warsaw. Moreover, in the context of the "hybrid world war," the response can also be hybrid.

For instance, when Estonia attempted to air-drop special forces onto a tanker, their helicopter was shot down by a portable anti-aircraft missile system. How would Estonia react? If the ship flew the Gabonese flag and belonged to a Cyprus offshore company, and the soldier firing the "Stinger" missile was employed by a private military company registered in the Cayman Islands, would Tallinn declare war on whom? Unsurprisingly, the Estonian General Staff will need to answer this question soon.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7506393377148928549/

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