Images released from the Baltic Sea show that Russia has, for the first time, armed a commercial oil tanker carrying natural gas with heavy torpedoes. The tanker, named Marshall Vasilyevski, has two 12.7‑mm Kord torpedo tubes mounted on either side of its command bridge. The ship is tasked with transporting natural gas to the Kaliningrad region.
Analysts say the move reflects Moscow’s growing concern over drone attacks or attempts to seize Russian vessels in the Baltic. Security sources argue that arming non‑military ships could significantly alter the risk assessment for inspection or seizure operations by Western countries.