Russia warns Ireland of 'serious consequences' if shadow fleet vessels boarded in country's waters

Darragh Mc Donagh

Russia has warned Ireland that it will face “serious consequences” if the Defence Forces attempt to board or intercept shadow fleet vessels under proposed legislation expanding the military’s operational powers in Irish waters.

The Defence (Amendment) Bill 2026 would allow Irish military personnel to board vessels in the country’s maritime zones to inspect documents, equipment and activities, as well as directing vessels to alter their route.

Russian Ambassador to Ireland Yuri Filatov said the legislation suggested that the Government was preparing to join the “pirate actions” of other countries, which have intercepted vessels seeking to evade anti-Russia sanctions.

“This is a demonstration by Dublin that they are prepared for such actions and, in theory, could join the pirate actions of their senior partners,” Filatov said in an interview published by Russian newspaper Izvestia.

“The Irish have been warned that attempts to carry out such acts of piracy will have the most serious consequences for them,” he added.

The article claimed that Ireland had a shortage of patrol vessels and suggested that the interception and detention of ships would only occur with the participation of the British or French navies.

The proposed amendment to the Defence Act 1954 was initiated in the Dáil in June, and would grant legal authority to the Defence

Forces to board and reroute vessels in Irish waters or its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) where illicit activities are suspected.

The Izvestia article erroneously reported that these legislative changes had come into effect on July 24, citing Mr Filatov.

It said Ireland was important to Western efforts to detain “ships allegedly acting in Moscow’s interests” because of its location close to vital Atlantic shipping routes.

Defence Minister Helen McEntee said in March that the proposed legislative amendments were required in response to “emerging threats in our waters”, specifically referring to vessels linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet”.

“Recent events in the Baltic Sea and the activities of Russia’s shadow fleet have highlighted the importance of ensuring that we have the legal framework necessary to respond to evolving threats,” she said.

McEntee said existing legislation does not explicitly assign maritime enforcement powers to the Defence Forces.

“This legislation will address that gap by clearly setting out the Defence Forces’ role in safeguarding our maritime domain while remaining fully consistent with international law,” she added.