In September 2025, the Russian sailing ship Shtandart was at the center of intense media attention and official monitoring across Europe. Maritime authorities in Portugal and Spain repeatedly denied it access to national ports, while European institutions maintained restrictions already in place under sanctions. Several reports noted attempts by the vessel to change its flag, conduct crew transfers at sea, and approach coastal areas through small craft.
Concerns highlighted in the press ranged from alleged links to Russia’s “ghost fleet” to suspicions of propaganda or intelligence-related activities. At the same time, civic groups and Ukrainian organizations across Europe voiced opposition to its presence, urging vigilance from local authorities.
While European ports remained closed, the Shtandart was received in Tangier, Morocco, marking a contrast between EU restrictions and external safe harbors. This review brings together press articles, official communications, and civil society reactions documenting the vessel’s movements and the debates surrounding them.
- Nossa Brasil, 01/10/2025 – Por que nenhum país da Europa permite que esse lindo barco pare no porto?
(Why does no country in Europe allow this beautiful ship to stop in port?) - Nossa Brésil, 01/10/2025 — Pourquoi aucun pays d’Europe ne permet à ce beau bateau de s’arrêter dans un port ?
(Why does no country in Europe allow this beautiful ship to stop in port?)
— - Executive Digest, 29/09/2025 – Oito navios russos já foram avistados este ano em águas portuguesas, mas Marinha não comenta
(Eight Russian ships have already been spotted this year in Portuguese waters, but the Navy does not comment.)
— - Port de Tanger FB, 27/09/2025 – Aujourd’hui, nous accueillons le voilier historique Shtandart – اليوم، في مارينا باي الدولية بطنجة، استقبلنا السفينة التاريخية شاندارت، وهي نسخة طبق الأصل من أول فرقاطة روسية (1703) بناها القيصر بطرس الأكبر. Today at Tanja Marina Bay International, we welcomed the historic tall ship Shtandart
— - Sabado, 27/09/2025 – Só este ano já foram avistados pelo menos oito navios russos em Portugal. Marinha remete-se ao silêncio
(At least eight Russian ships have already been sighted this year in Portugal. The Navy remains silent.)
— - YouTube, 27/09/2025 – Le navire russe Shtandart dans le port de Tanger, Maroc
(The Russian ship Shtandart in the port of Tangier, Morocco.)
— - Delfi, 26/09/2025 – В Португалии задержаны члены экипажа российского парусника « Штандарт »: среди задержанных — россиянин из Латвии (26)
(In Portugal, members of the crew of the Russian sailing ship “Shtandart” have been detained: among them, a Russian from Latvia (26))
— - No Shtandart In Europe, 26/09/2025 – Acknowledgements for cross-border cooperation on the Iberian Peninsula – Тhe Russian vessel « Shtandart » fails in its port sanctions fraud
(Acknowledgements for cross-border cooperation on the Iberian Peninsula – The Russian vessel “Shtandart” fails in its port sanctions fraud.)
— - No Shtandart In Europe, 26/09/2025 – Alert – The sanctioned Russian vessel « Shtandart » is scheduled to call at Gibraltar on 26 September 2025
— - Polska Agencja Prasowa, 26/09/2025 – Ujęta załoga rosyjskiego okrętu Sztandart złożyła sprzeczne zeznania
(The captured crew of the Russian ship Shtandart gave contradictory testimonies.)
— - Ukrainian Shipping Magazine, 26/09/2025 – Новини, У Португалії затримали екіпаж підсанкційного російського судна «Штандарт»
(News The crew of the sanctioned Russian vessel Standard was detained in Portugal)
— - Algarve Primeiro, 25/09/2025 – Portugal nega acesso de veleiro russo aos portos nacionais
(Portugal denies access to Russian sailboat in national ports.)
— - Correio da Manhã, 25/09/2025 – Portugal nega acesso de veleiro russo aos portos nacionais
(Portugal denies access to Russian sailboat in national ports.)
— - Diário de Notícias, 25/09/2025 – Portugal nega acesso de veleiro russo aos portos nacionais
(Portugal denies access to Russian sailboat in national ports.)
— - Euronews, 25/09/2025 – Autoridade Marítima recusa entrada de veleiro russo que navega ao largo da costa portuguesa
(Maritime Authority refuses entry to Russian sailboat sailing off the Portuguese coast.)
— - Executive Digest, 25/09/2025 – Marinha e Polícia Marítima intercetam bote de navio russo junto a Sagres
(Navy and Maritime Police intercept dinghy from Russian ship near Sagres.)
— - Figueira Na Hora, Instagam, 25/09/2025 – Nacional: Autoridade Marítima Nacional monitoriza veleiro TS SHTANDART ao longo da costa portuguesa
(National: National Maritime Authority monitors Russian sailing ship TS Shtandart along the Portuguese coast.)
— - Figueira Na Hora FB, 25/09/2025 – A AMN tem indeferido os pedidos de comandante do navio para aceder aos portos nacionais, nomeadamente do Douro e de Cascais, este último no dia 22 de setembro, após assegurar que o navio não possuía qualquer avaria no sistema de propulsão nem de governo, bem como que toda a tripulação se encontrava bem de saúde.
(The AMN has rejected requests from the ship’s captain to access national ports, namely Douro and Cascais, the latter on 22 September, after ensuring that the ship had no damage to its propulsion or steering systems and that the entire crew was in good health.)
— - Jornal de Notícias, 25/09/2025 – Autoridades intercetam bote de navio estrangeiro em Sagres
(Authorities intercept dinghy from foreign ship in Sagres.)
— - Observador 25/09/2025 – Autoridades intercetam bote de navio russo « histórico » impedido de atracar em portos portugueses. Cinco tripulantes seguiram viagem
(Authorities intercept dinghy from “historic” Russian ship prevented from docking in Portuguese ports. Five crew members continued their journey.) - Observador, 25/09/2025 - Les autorités interceptent une embarcation du navire russe « historique » interdit d’accoster dans les ports portugais. Cinq membres d’équipage ont poursuivi leur voyage
(Authorities intercept dinghy from “historic” Russian ship prevented from docking in Portuguese ports. Five crew members continued their journey.)
— - Portugal resident, 25/09/2025 – Suspected Russian ‘ghost fleet’ ship sparks police action off Algarve coast
— - Postal, 25/09/2025 – Autoridades negam acesso a veleiro russo e reforçam vigilância no Algarve
(Authorities deny access to Russian yacht and step up surveillance in the Algarve) - Publico, 25/09/2025 – Autoridade Marítima Nacional recusa entrada de embarcação russa
(National Maritime Authority refuses entry to Russian vessel.)
— - Radioportimao, Instagam, 25/09/2025 – Autoridade Marítima monitoriza veleiro russo ao largo da costa portuguesa
(National Maritime Authority monitors Russian sailing ship off the Portuguese coast.)
— - SIC Notícias (FB), video, 25/09/2025 – Veleiro russo tentou trocar tripulação em Portugal
(Russian sailing ship tried to exchange crew in Portugal.)
— - Autoridade Marítima Nacional, 24/09/2025 – Autoridade Marítima Nacional monitoriza veleiro TS SHTANDART ao longo da costa portuguesa
(National Maritime Authority monitors TS Shtandart sailing ship along the Portuguese coast.) - Autoridade Marítima Nacional, 24/09/2025 – L’Autorité maritime nationale surveille le voilier TS SHTANDART le long de la côte portugaise.
(National Maritime Authority monitors TS Shtandart sailing ship along the Portuguese coast.)
— - Confidencial Digital, 24/09/2025 – Fragata rusa vetada desafía a Bruselas y sorprende frente a Galicia
(Russian frigate banned challenges Brussels and surprises off Galicia.)
— - Correio da Manhã, 24/09/2025 Cinco apanhados no Algarve em navio suspeito de pertencer à frota fantasma da Rússia
(Five caught in the Algarve on a ship suspected of belonging to Russia’s ghost fleet.)
— - Notícias ao Minuto, 24/09/2025 – Portugal nega acesso de veleiro russo aos portos nacionais
(Portugal denies access to Russian sailing ship in national ports.)
— - Portugal Pulse, 24/09/2025 – Portugal denies Russian sailboat access to national ports
(Portugal denies Russian sailboat access to national ports.)
— - Renascença 24/09/2025 – Autoridade Marítima Nacional recusa entrada de veleiro russo
(National Maritime Authority refuses entry to Russian sailboat.)
— - i News Portugal, video, 23/09/2025 – Navio russo trocou de bandeira e não pôde atracar no Douro
(Russian ship changed flag and could not dock in the Douro.)
— - Jorge Caravana, 23/09/2025 FB – Ontem por esta hora avisei a Polícia Marítima de Cascais ! A minha suspeita de que ia tentar aportar na Marina de Confirmou-se!!! A ATENÇÃO… nunca é de mais !!!
(Yesterday at this time I warned the Maritime Police of Cascais! My suspicion that it was going to try to dock at the marina was confirmed!!! ATTENTION… it is never too much!!!)
— - No Shtandart In Europe 23/09/2025 – Alert: Imminent risk of illegal entry into Spanish southern territorial waters and ports by the Russian vessel « Shtandart »
- No Shtandart In Europe 23/09/2025 – Alerta: Riesgo inminente de entrada ilegal en aguas territoriales y en los puertos meridionales de España por el buque ruso « Shtandart »
(Alert: Imminent risk of illegal entry into Spanish southern territorial waters and ports by the Russian ship “Shtandart.”)
— - Observador, 23/09/2025 – Navio russo « histórico » trocou de bandeira mas não foi autorizado a atracar no Douro
(A “historic” Russian ship changed flag but was not allowed to dock in the Douro.) - Observador, 23/09/2025 – Un navire russe « historique » a changé de pavillon mais n’a pas été autorisé à accoster sur le Douro
(A “historic” Russian ship changed flag but was not allowed to dock in the Douro.)
— - Associação dos ucranianos em Portugal, 22/09/2025 – Carta aberta ao Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros, Direção-Geral de Recursos Naturais, Segurança e Serviços Marítimos, Autoridade Marítima Nacional
(Open letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Directorate-General for Natural Resources, Safety and Maritime Services, National Maritime Authority.)
— - Cascais24Horas, 22/09/2025 – VELEIRO suspeito de ser espião russo tentou aproximação a Cascais
(Suspected Russian spy sailing ship tried to approach Cascais.)
— - Faro de Vigo, 22/09/205 – Una patrullera lusa escolta a la fragata rusa «Shtandart» para evitar su escala en Leixões
(A Portuguese patrol boat escorts Russian frigate “Shtandart” to prevent its stopover in Leixões.)
— - Pavlo Sadokha FB, 22/09/2025 – Друзі! Всі, хто є поблизу Cascais, Estoril, Oeiras, Пропонуємо приєднатися до флешмобу: Русский імперський корабель, пливи на… з Португалії!
(Friends! Everyone near Cascais, Estoril, Oeiras, let’s join the flashmob: Russian imperial ship, sail away from Portugal!)
— - Ukrainian World Congress, 22/09/205 – Ukrainians urged to be vigilant as Russian frigate heads toward Portugal
- Ukrainian World Congress, 22/09/2025 – Російський фрегат “Штандарт” прямує до Португалії: українців закликають бути пильними
(Russian frigate “Shtandart” heads toward Portugal: Ukrainians urged to remain vigilant.)
— - Galicia Press 21/09/2025 – Rusia también « invade » aguas gallegas: la fragata Shtandart viola las aguas territoriales españolas
(Russia also “invades” Galician waters: the frigate Shtandart violates Spanish territorial waters.)
— - Pavlo Sadokha FB, 21/09/2025 – Дякуємо португальській владі, що не дозволила сьогодні російському фрегату «Штандарт», який проводить шпигунсько-пропагандистську діяльність на користь режиму путіна, увійти в порт Matosinhos.
(Thanks to the Portuguese authorities for not allowing today the Russian frigate “Shtandart,” which carries out spy and propaganda activities for Putin’s regime, to enter the port of Matosinhos.)
— - Pavlo Sadokha FB, 21/09/2025 – Alerta – Risco iminente de escalas ilegais do navio russo Shtandart nos portos de Portugal
(Alert – Imminent risk of illegal stopovers of the Russian ship Shtandart in Portuguese ports.)
— - Faro de Vigo, 20/09/205 – La fragata rusa «Shtandart», vetada por Bruselas, irrumpe en aguas gallegas
(The Russian frigate “Shtandart,” banned by Brussels, enters Galician waters.)
— - No Shtandart In Europe, 20/09/2025 – Alert: Violation of Spanish Territorial Waters by the « Shtandart », a Sanctioned Russian Vessel
- No Shtandart In Europe, 20/09/2025 – Alerta: violación de las aguas territoriales españolas por el « Shtandart », buque ruso bajo sanciones
(Alert: Violation of Spanish territorial waters by the “Shtandart,” a sanctioned Russian ship.)
— - Pavlo Sadokha FB, 20/09/2025 – Російський корабель, іди н…..!
(Russian ship, go and f***..!)
— - No Shtandart In Europe, 19/09/2025 – Muito em breve, o navio russo sancionado, « Shtandart », poderá tentar forçar a entrada num ou em vários portos de Portugal.
(Very soon, the sanctioned Russian ship “Shtandart” may try to force entry into one or more Portuguese ports.)
— - No Shtandart In Europe, 17/09/2025 – Muy pronto, el buque ruso sancionado, « Shtandart », podría intentar de nuevo entrar en los puertos españoles.
(Very soon, the sanctioned Russian ship “Shtandart” may again attempt to enter Spanish ports)
— - Beauty Case 15/09/2025 – L’interdiction d’escale dans des ports européens validée en appel pour le trois-mâts « Shtandart »
(Ban on calling at European ports confirmed in court for the three-masted “Shtandart.”)
— - No Shtandart In Europe, 09/09/2025 – Is the sanctioned “Shtandart” a Russian spy ship ?
— - Ukrinform, 06/09/2025 – Рішення суду ЄС щодо судна «Штандарт» стало переможним епізодом у боротьбі із впливом РФ у Франції – активіст
(EU court ruling on the “Shtandart” ship was a victorious episode in the fight against Russian influence in France, says activist.) - Ukrinform, 06/09/2025 – EU court ruling on the Standard ship was a victory in the fight against Russian influence in France, says activist
— - Faro de Vigo, 05/09/205 – Europa, coto cerrado a la emblemática fragata «Shtandart»
(Europe, closed territory to the emblematic frigate “Shtandart.”)
— - No Shtandart In Europe, 26/07/2025 – ¿Por qué el buque sancionado «Shtandart» forma parte de la flota fantasma rusa?
(Why is the sanctioned “Shtandart” ship part of Russia’s ghost fleet?) - No Shtandart In Europe, 26/07/2025 – Why is the sanctioned ship ‘Shtandart’ part of the Russian shadow fleet?
- No Shtandart In Europe, 26/07/2025 – Pourquoi le navire sous sanctions “Shtandart » fait-il partie de la flotte fantôme russe ?
(Alert: Russian ship “Shtandart” plans to enter Spanish territorial waters illegally.)
— - No Shtandart In Europe, 25/06/2025 – Alert: russian ship « Shtandart » is planning to enter Spanish territorial waters illegally.
- No Shtandart In Europe, 25/06/2025 – Alerta: el buque ruso «Shtandart» planea entrar ilegalmente en aguas territoriales españolas.
(Alert: Russian ship “Shtandart” plans to enter Spanish territorial waters illegally.)
— - No Shtandart In Europe, 16/06/2025 – Summer 2025: Russian ship « Shtandart » plans illegal stopovers in ports of France, UK, Ireland, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Spain & Portugal
The "Shtandart" In Europe 