Este artigo em português
Cet article en françaisSeptember 2025 marked the spectacular collapse of the Russian tall ship Shtandart’s deception along the Portuguese coast. For years, this vessel — presented as a “historical replica” and a symbol of friendship between nations — had in fact operated as a propaganda and influence platform connected to the Kremlin. After being turned away from port after port across Europe, the Shtandart finally met its reckoning in Portugal.
From Leixões to Cascais and down to Sagres, the ship’s journey became a sequence of failures, denials, and interceptions. Portuguese maritime authorities, supported by citizen movements such as the Ukrainian community and No Shtandart in Europe, firmly enforced European sanctions. The once-celebrated “ambassador of Russian culture” ended up exposed for what it truly was — a vessel of manipulation, stranded under a storm of truth and accountability.
- Blockade of the Russian Ship TS Shtandart in Douro: Leixões, Matosinhos, Porto, Vila Nova…
- Failure of the Russian Sailing Ship TS Shtandart in Cascais
- Defeat of the Russian Frigate TS Shtandart in the Algarve: Baleeira, Lagos, Sagres, Vila do Bispo
- Conclusion
1. Blockade of the Russian Ship TS Shtandart in Douro: Leixões, Matosinhos, Porto, Vila Nova…
Pavlo Sadokha (Facebook, September 21, 2025) — We thank the Portuguese authorities for not allowing today the entry of the Russian frigate Shtandart into the port of Matosinhos.
The ship carries out espionage and propaganda activities in favor of Putin’s regime.
➡️ Read more…
Faro de Vigo (September 22, 2025) — A Portuguese patrol vessel escorts the Russian frigate Shtandart to prevent it from docking at Leixões.
The voyage of the frigate TS Shtandart, of Russian capital but flying the flag of the Cook Islands, is under surveillance — not only by citizen collectives such as No Shtandart in Europe or the Association of Ukrainians in Portugal, but also by Portuguese maritime authorities.
➡️ Read more…
2. Failure of the Russian Sailing Ship TS Shtandart in Cascais
Pavlo Sadokha (Facebook, September 22, 2025) — Friends! All those near Cascais, Estoril, Oeiras.
We invite you to join the flashmob: Imperial Russian ship sailing to… Portugal!
➡️ Read more…
Jorge Caravana (Facebook, September 23, 2025) — Yesterday at this time I warned the Maritime Police of Cascais!
My suspicion that it would try to dock at the Marina was confirmed!!! ATTENTION… there is never too much of it!!!
➡️ Read more…
Figueira Na Hora (September 25, 2025) — National: The National Maritime Authority (AMN) monitors the sailing ship TS Shtandart along the Portuguese coast.
The AMN has denied the captain’s requests for access to national ports — including Douro and Cascais, the latter on September 22 — after confirming that the ship showed no propulsion or steering failures and that the entire crew was in good health.
➡️ Read more…
3. Defeat of the Russian Frigate TS Shtandart in the Algarve: Baleeira, Lagos, Sagres, Vila do Bispo
AMN, 24/09/2025 – National Maritime Authority monitors sailing ship TS SHTANDART along the Portuguese coast
The National Maritime Authority (AMN), through its respective Port Captains and Local Commanders of the Maritime Police and in cooperation with the Portuguese Navy, has been monitoring and tracking the Cook Islands-flagged sailing vessel TS SHTANDART since 21 September.
➡️ Read more…
Notícias ao Minuto (September 24, 2025) — Portugal denies access of Russian sailing vessel to national ports.
Portuguese authorities have refused access to national ports to a vessel that flew the Russian flag until June 2024 and, on Tuesday, intercepted a semi-rigid boat carrying people and goods intended to board the ship.
➡️ Read more…
Algarve Primeiro (September 25, 2025) — Portugal denies access of Russian sailing vessel to national ports.
Portuguese authorities have refused access to national ports to a vessel that flew the Russian flag until June 2024 and intercepted, on Tuesday, a semi-rigid boat carrying people and goods intended to board the ship.
➡️ Read more…
Correio da Manhã (September 25, 2025) — Portugal denies access of Russian sailing vessel to national ports.
The National Maritime Authority explained that, in cooperation with the Navy, it has been monitoring and following the sailing ship TS Shtandart since Sunday (September 21, 2025).
➡️ Read more…
Executive Digest (September 25, 2025) — Navy and Maritime Police intercept boat belonging to Russian ship near Sagres.
The Navy and Maritime Police intercepted, on Wednesday, five crew members from the Russian training ship TS Shtandart as they approached the coast in a motorboat near the port of Baleeira, in Sagres (Vila do Bispo municipality).
➡️ Read more…
Postal (September 25, 2025) — Authorities deny access to Russian sailing ship and reinforce surveillance in the Algarve.
Portuguese authorities have refused access to national ports to a vessel that flew the Russian flag until June 2024 and intercepted, on Tuesday, a semi-rigid boat carrying people and goods intended to board the ship.
➡️ Read more…
Público (September 25, 2025) — National Maritime Authority refuses entry to Russian vessel.
According to European regulations, Portugal is prohibited from granting the vessel access to national ports, as part of EU sanctions against Russia for its actions in Ukraine.
➡️ Read more…
SIC Noticias, (September 25, 2025) – Russian Sailing Ship Tried to Change Crew in Portugal
The Maritime Police of Lagos stated that the intercepted crew members (two French citizens, one Russian living in Latvia, and one Russian woman) gave contradictory accounts.
➡️ Read more…
Fala Portugal (September 26, 2025) — Portuguese authorities denied entry to a Russian sailing ship, the Shtandart, into national ports.
Russian sailing ship off the coast of Portugal — Portuguese authorities denied entry to a Russian vessel into national ports. The refusal complies with the sanctions imposed by the European Union against Russia.
➡️ Read more…
4. Conclusion
The Shtandart’s downfall in Portugal is more than the story of a single ship — it’s the visible crack in a larger façade. For years, this Russian vessel sailed under false pretenses, hiding propaganda behind the sails of “maritime heritage.” Yet, from the Baltic to the Atlantic, European democracies have grown increasingly unwilling to tolerate symbols of imperial nostalgia disguised as culture.
Portugal’s firm stance — denying entry, intercepting support boats, and enforcing EU sanctions — echoed the resolve shown earlier by Spain, Ireland, Denmark, Norway, and the United Kingdom. In doing so, Lisbon sent a clear message: Europe’s ports are no place for the relics of authoritarian influence.
As the storm clouds closed over the Atlantic, the Shtandart’s voyage ended not with triumph, but with wreckage — a fitting metaphor for the collapse of Russia’s soft-power deception in Europe.
See all articles about the Shtandart and the Iberian Peninsula in September 2025
The « Shtandart » and the Iberian Peninsula: press review, summer 2025
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,…
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