Russian civilian ship armed with heavy machine gun spotted in Baltic Sea

A Russian civilian vessel, the FSRU Marshal Vasilevsky, owned by state energy giant Gazprom, has been observed in the Gulf of Finland bearing a heavy machine gun. Aerial photographs taken by an Estonian border guard surveillance aircraft in May clearly show the floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal equipped with a weapon system on its command bridge.

The information, revealed through a collaboration between Helsingin Sanomat and Eesti Delfi, is the first photographic proof of a Russian civilian ship being armed in European waters. This development has sparked widespread concern and speculation regarding the Kremlin's intentions, according to Yle.fi.

Experts believe the armament has multiple purposes. On one hand, it is seen as a deterrent towards Western countries. The presence of a heavy machine gun significantly alters the risk analysis for scenarios involving boarding or detaining the vessel. This move is part of a broader Russian strategy to increase its military presence and hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea, utilizing its so-called 'shadow fleet'.

On the other hand, speculation suggests the ship is armed for defense against potential Ukrainian attacks. Although the Baltic Sea is far from the conflict zone in Ukraine, Kyiv has demonstrated its capability to strike Russian strategic targets hundreds of kilometers away. The FSRU Marshal Vasilevsky is a specialized vessel capable of both transporting and regasifying LNG, playing a crucial role in the energy security of the Kaliningrad region.

“

Venemaa sõjaline kohalolek Soome lahes muutunud palju ilmsemaks ning see on sundinud Eestit olema ettevaatlikum Venemaa laevade peatamisel, kartes sõjalise eskalatsiooni ohtu.