Russia says it is taking countermeasures, possibly asymmetric, over Baltic ship detentions, Izvestia reports

Russia is taking countermeasures against Western states that detain ships in the Baltic Sea, and these may be asymmetric, Vladislav Maslennikov, head of the Russian foreign ministry's European department, told RIA Novosti, Izvestia reports. Maslennikov accused NATO and EU members of what he called "maritime racketeering", saying they arbitrarily detain and seize ships sailing routes that comply with accepted rules. He did not say what the countermeasures were. In further remarks reported by Izvestia on 25 October, he said Moscow regarded the detentions as hostile and provocative, and that some EU states were taking steps that could complicate international shipping. No specific vessels were named.

This is a summary in our own words of the linked reporting. Allegations are those of the source. How we report.