"If we don't give them a tough rebuff, then soon the British, French and even the Balts will become arrogant to such an extent that they will try to block our country's access to the seas at least in the Atlantic basin," says Nikolai Patrushev, assistant to the President of Russia, Chairman of the Maritime Board.
On the eve of Defender of the Fatherland Day, he told in an exclusive interview aif.ru about measures to protect shipping and the country's maritime borders, strengthen the Navy, and whether young people are interested in working in shipbuilding and serving at sea.
— Nikolai Patrushev
"Cool the ardor of the Western corsairs"
Vitaly Tseplyaev, aif.ru Questioner: Nikolai Platonovich, the situation in the oceans has escalated so much that some experts are talking about "the opening of another front of confrontation with the Russian Federation by the collective West." What are the costs of seizing ships flying our flag and carrying our cargoes? What are your forecasts, and how will Russia respond to this?
Nikolai Patrushev: The pirate attacks on Russian maritime trade indicate that Western opponents have decided to strike at one of the most important areas of the Russian economy, foreign trade, and want to paralyze it. According to reports, such actions will intensify, and attacks on our ships and cargo will become more frequent. If we do not give them a tough rebuff, then soon the British, French and even the Balts will become arrogant to the extent that they will try to block our country's access to the seas at least in the Atlantic basin. Of course, measures to respond to the attacks of the West are being developed, including through the Marine Board. We believe that, as at all times, the Navy is the best guarantor of the safety of navigation. There should be impressive forces on a permanent basis in the main sea routes, including in regions remote from Russia, ready to cool the ardor of Western corsairs.
"Do we have enough strength?"
— I will not hide that our Navy is currently carrying out tasks to protect maritime trade with a fairly high intensity of forces. Ships of the far sea and ocean zone, capable of operating autonomously for a long time at a considerable distance from their bases, require much more. The current situation shows that of all the types of armed forces, the navy is the most powerful and at the same time flexible geopolitical instrument suitable for active use both in peacetime and during armed conflict. The presence of a fleet, the ability to protect our economic activities at sea, and export our oil, grain, and fertilizers are prerequisites for the normal functioning of the state. In this regard, we are laying down the relevant requirements for the development of the Navy in the updated Navy shipbuilding program until 2050, which is currently being finalized and will soon be presented to the President, who has already approved the new Navy Development Strategy and the FSB shipbuilding program.
— Nikolai Patrushev
— Which fleet does Russia need — a large one to solve global problems or a compact one for coastal defense?
— Russia needs a balanced fleet capable of solving all pressing tasks and meeting the demands of the time, primarily technological. We live in an era when naval affairs are changing dramatically. More recently, unmanned boats have joined the fleet, but in the near future, the world's leading fleets will be massively replenished with unmanned ships of at least the corvette class. Dozens more new technologies will be introduced that will completely change the face of warfare at sea. In this situation, we need to rely on the creation of a high-tech fleet. That is why one of the priorities that we place in these documents is technological leadership.
"We may also be interested in what they are transporting and where"
— You mentioned the blockade scenario. Recently, the chief of the French General Staff, Mandon, said that now the Baltic Sea is completely in the hands of NATO, and it can be blocked for Russia at any moment. How do we respond?
— Of course, the situation in the Baltic is difficult. The NATO forces are actually creating a multinational group focused on offensive actions. The Finns, for example, are acquiring corvettes with shock weapons that reach the northwestern regions of our country. Among other things, NATO's plans involve blocking the Kaliningrad region, seizing merchant ships, and sabotaging underwater communications, which will then be cynically blamed on us.
— Nikolai Patrushev
Any attempts to blockade our country by sea are absolutely illegal from the point of view of international law, and the concept of a "shadow fleet", which EU representatives brandish on every corner, is a legal fiction. Nevertheless, as a first step, we will use generally recognized political, diplomatic and legal mechanisms. But let's be honest — there is almost no hope that the West has retained at least a little respect for diplomacy and law.
— If diplomacy and law don't work, what should we do?
— In fact, by implementing plans for a naval blockade, the Europeans are deliberately implementing a scenario of military escalation, groping the limits of our patience and provoking active retaliatory measures. If this situation cannot be resolved peacefully, the Navy will break through the blockade and eliminate it. Let's not forget that there are many ships sailing the seas under European flags. We may also be interested in what they are transporting and where.
— It turns out that the World Ocean, as it was a few centuries ago, is once again becoming a battlefield, not a field of cooperation?
— The facts show that the sea is once again becoming a springboard for military aggression. The old practice of "gunboat diplomacy" is returning, as evidenced by events in Venezuela or around Iran. But one should not judge by the actions of Western countries alone. The West dominated the seas for a long time, until the beginning of this century, but now its hegemony is largely a thing of the past.
Currently, the key task is to build a multipolar world order in the oceans, and Russia and its like—minded people are actively working on it. We regularly hold negotiations with foreign partners through the Marine Board. I would like to note that Russian proposals in the field of naval cooperation, merchant shipping, port infrastructure development, shipbuilding, marine science, technology and education are more than positively perceived. We will tap into the potential of the BRICS, which needs to be given a full-fledged strategic maritime dimension. In January, the first BRICS naval exercises "The Will to Peace - 2026" with the participation of Russia, China, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and South Africa were successfully held in the South Atlantic. The fleets have worked together to protect trade routes, which are currently becoming increasingly vulnerable, including in the face of Western piracy. The Maritime Security Belt 2026 exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, where Russia, China and Iran sent their ships, turned out to be relevant.
— Nikolai Patrushev
"Energetic guys, masters of marine craft"
— Returning to the topic of the construction of warships and shipbuilding in general. You have repeatedly talked about the need to train qualified personnel. Is there any progress here?
— Our priority is to make shipbuilding and related industries an area that is attractive to specialists both financially and professionally, professionally and even in everyday terms. Yes, so far we see a significant shortage of specialists with secondary vocational and higher education, but at the same time, the number of applicants to marine technical universities and colleges is growing. The personnel of the industry is getting younger. Factories are gradually being transformed, it is already pleasant to enter many workshops, people go there willingly to work, their work is appreciated. If we want to remain a great maritime power, then the profession of shipwright must be surrounded by honor and respect, not to mention the material side of the matter.
— Are young people willing to join the industry?
— 2-3 years ago, young specialists in shipbuilding were rather an exception, and not only because of the working conditions, but also because of stereotypes. It was believed that older people with experience should build ships. One supervisor laughed that the young people didn't even know how to use a disk phone. In fact, our young specialists are competent, energetic, well-trained in advanced areas such as digitalization and artificial intelligence, and demonstrate an extraordinary and innovative approach to business. We recently opened a Moscow shipyard. Its original design and designs of manufactured electric vessels belong to architects and designers whose average age barely exceeds 30 years. I think this is the best illustration of the rejuvenation of the industry.
— Is there the same trend among sailors?
— Both the Navy and the civilian fleet are replenished with promising and motivated specialists. In January, I visited the Pacific Fleet frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov. The sailors invited me to visit them and inspect the ship. I talked to the officers in the wardroom and was pleased to note that most of them are energetic guys, masters of marine craft, who also ask smart, sharp questions, and think in serious, strategic terms.
Young people are willing to join the civilian navy. In many ways, this is the merit of the Russian maritime education, which is being rebuilt in accordance with the requirements of the time. The training of future sailors and shipbuilders has become a truly exciting activity. The training takes place on modern simulators, which have no analogues in the world. Production laboratories are being opened, where students can undergo practical training and implement their own research projects. I see all this when I visit the famous Korabelka, Makarovka and other universities.
— There were times when young people went to sea primarily for romance ...
— Of course, and that is why, together with financial incentive tools, it is time to revive the spirit of romance among new generations of seafarers, to educate future military sailors from a young age to take responsibility for the Motherland, and to teach young shipbuilders to enjoy their successes. It is necessary to raise the prestige of maritime professions among young people, to popularize the history of Russian maritime affairs and shipbuilding.
By the way, this year will mark the centenary of Igor Dmitrievich Spassky, a great and talented scientist, engineer, and general designer of more than two hundred domestic submarines. His dedication to the Fatherland and loyalty to the Navy are an example for the modern generation of sailors and designers.
The year 2026 is rich in other anniversaries and memorable dates in the maritime sphere. In March, the Russian Navy will celebrate the 120th anniversary of the creation of the submarine fleet. And, of course, this year is the year of the 330th anniversary of the Russian navy, which Russia owes to our first emperor. Among other things, Peter the Great said: "Hoping for peace, one should not weaken in military affairs." I would like to quote this phrase with special meaning on the eve of Defender of the Fatherland Day and express my gratitude to those who are bringing Victory closer today, to those who carry out combat missions in the army and navy, as well as work at enterprises of the military-industrial complex. I sincerely wish you and your families health, happiness, peace and prosperity.
