Incident involving tall ship Sztandart in Sagres raises security concerns
Portuguese maritime authorities intervened this week after five crew members from the Russian tall ship Sztandart attempted to go ashore using a motor launch. The vessel, a replica of Tsar Peter the Great’s 1703 flagship, has been the subject of heightened scrutiny since arriving off the Portuguese coast.
In brief
Portuguese services detained in Sagres five crew members of the Russian training sailing ship Sztandart who attempted to go ashore in a motorboat. The group, made up of Russians and French nationals, including one resident of Latvia, was intercepted by a maritime police and navy patrol, and the detainees gave contradictory statements about the purpose of going ashore. After questioning, all five were sent back aboard the Sztandart, which set course for Gibraltar on Wednesday evening. Captain Władimir Martus explained on SIC television that it was a scheduled crew change, although the vessel had previously been refused entry to four Portuguese ports.
According to broadcaster SIC, the group was intercepted by a joint patrol of the maritime police and the navy before being handed over to the gendarmerie. The detained individuals – including Russian and French nationals, one of whom resides in Latvia – reportedly gave conflicting statements regarding the purpose of their landing.
Following questioning, all five were returned to Sztandart, which departed Sagres on Wednesday evening and is now bound for Gibraltar.
Captain Vladimir Martus told SIC in a phone interview that the maneuver was simply part of a planned crew rotation. However, Portuguese commentators remain cautious, noting that Sztandart had previously been denied entry to four Portuguese ports. Its presence coincides with NATO’s Tiger Meet 2025 exercise, which has brought some 1,700 personnel from 12 nations, including Poland, to Portugal for joint training operations.
Maritime analysts point out that, while Sztandart plays an educational and cultural role as a sail training ship, its visit at a time of heightened military activity likely triggered additional security measures and speculation about the crew’s intentions.
Source: Gazeta Morska / PAP · Compiled by: Michał Iwański
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