Cette lettre en françaisTo: UK Department for Transport
Copies:
- Ukrainian Embassy in the United Kingdom
- Ukrainian Embassy in France
- HM Coastguard
- M. Gabriel Attal, President of the France-Ukraine Friendship Group at the French National Assembly
- Ukrainian Aberdeen
- Union des Ukrainiens de France
Subject: Ref TO-00044152, the whistleblower collective ‘No Shtandart in Europe’ responds to the letter from the UK Department for Transport about the sanctioned Russian ship « Shtandart ».
19 July 2025
Dear Sir/Madam,
On behalf of the « No Shtandart in Europe » collective, I would like to thank you for your kind and detailed letter of 18 July 2025, which is attached to this message. It concerns the sanctioned Russian ship Shtandart (MMSI: 518999255), which has been sailing under the flag of convenience of the Cook Islands since 6 June 2024.
Ukraine is our common frontline against the most abject barbarism. Your correspondence demonstrates the United Kingdom’s determination to resolutely and unambiguously support this country that has fallen victim to Russia’s criminal and murderous invasion.
You mention in particular the crucial role of the British port authorities in applying port sanctions. We would like to stress that we have always received a courteous, benevolent and professional welcome from the Harbour Masters and the HM Coastguard with whom we have been in contact.
With regard to the Shtandart‘s navigation from the north coast of Brittany, where the Shtandart was forbidden to dock, we can report what we observed. The Russian ship did not enter Falmouth or the Isle of Man. It appears to have made an unannounced and unsuccessful attempt to enter the Isles of Scilly on 4 July 2025.
The Shtandart made an unannounced and presumably illegal stopover in Inverie from 13 to 14 July 2025. It does not appear that the authorities have sanctioned it for this yet. You can find out more about this offence in our detailed document.
The Shtandart was explicitly informed that docking in Aberdeen and taking part in the Tall Ships Races were forbidden.
- Sail Training International, 15/07/2025 – Statement regarding shtandart’s participation in the tall ships races 2025
On 17 July 2025, the Shtandart disconnected its AIS (Automatic Identification System) with, apparently, the intention of berthing at Scapa Pier in the Orkney Islands.
The Russian ship was expelled from the Orkney Islands by HM Coastguard.
- The Scotsman, 17/07/2025 – Ship banned from Tall Ships Race due to Russian sanctions turned away at Orkney
The press release issued by the Russian Consul General in Scotland and picked up by the TASS propaganda agency testifies to the Russian government’s interest in the Shtandart‘s presence in Western countries’ ports, along their coasts and in their territorial waters.
- TASS, 18/07/2025 – Russia’s Consulate General slams banning frigate Shtandart from entering Scottish harbor
- ТАСС, 17/07/2025 – Консульство РФ назвало абсурдом запрет кораблю « Штандарт » зайти в порт Шотландии
Our respective countries’ intelligence services should take note. The text from the Russian consul is full of rage. It is highly undiplomatic and extremely aggressive. It is explicitly confrontational and provocative, and it insults the citizens of the United Kingdom. As far as the Russian population is concerned, both in Russia and in Britain, it is clearly intended to promote hatred of the British, if not worse.
Finally, the Russian consular prose reveals the true mission of the Shtandart, beyond the misleading and syrupy fiction promoted by its skipper and hidden owner, Vladimir Martus.
We remain at your disposal, as well as that of the British intelligence services, to provide all or part of the documents we have collected in this case of Russian interference, which is unusual to say the least.
We would also like to emphasise that we would expect the French state apparatus to demonstrate the same professionalism and determination as its British counterpart in the Shtandart affair.
Yours sincerely,
Bernard Grua, Nantes, Brittany, France
Former officer in the French Navy
Spokesman
No Shtandart In Europe
Email: noshtandartineurope@gmail.com
Website: https://bit.ly/No-Shtandart
Facebook: groups/noshtandartineurope
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