Putin Imposes FSB Approval Requirement for Foreign Ships Docking in Russia

President Vladimir Putin signed an executive order on Monday that mandates all vessels arriving at Russian ports from other countries to secure prior authorization from the country’s FSB security service.

This measure, which is effective immediately, references a constitutional clause concerning wartime legal frameworks. It specifies that ships “coming from foreign ports” are permitted to dock in Russia only with the consent of an “official representative of the Federal Security Service.”

Officials have not yet provided an explanation for the rationale behind these new measures.

Nonetheless, this development occurs in the context of increased security protocols following Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine and a rise in Ukrainian operations within Russian territory, including recent drone strikes on military airfields and attacks on rail networks.

Earlier this month, the Financial Times reported that a series of bomb attacks on oil tanker vessels worldwide has sparked speculation that Ukraine may be initiating a sabotage operation against Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet.” It was noted that five ships had allegedly docked at Russian ports shortly before these incidents.