In December 2025, Visegrád24 published an article by Alexander Francis Shaw, a former aide-de-camp to Nigel Farage. It discussed the situation of the Russian ship Shtandart and its exclusion from UK ports and the Tall Ships Races. I am grateful for the attention it has brought to this important matter.
In the spirit of transparency and accuracy, I would like to provide clarifications on the collective nature of the efforts, the role of the British authorities, and the legal framework that made this outcome possible. The following letter, addressed to Mr Shaw, sets out these points.
20 December 2025
Dear Mr Shaw,
I have read your article published on 10 December 2025 on Visegrád24: « How A Replica Russian 18-Century Ship Exposed UK Border Chaos ». An excerpt of which was also published on the Shtandart.eu website. It concerns the Russian frigate Shtandart and the decisions of the British authorities regarding its access to ports and its non-participation in the Tall Ships Races.
I would like to provide a few clarifications in the interest of accuracy and transparency. I voluntarily contributed to this mobilisation, but it would be incorrect to attribute all the credit to me. The implementation of the British sanctions and the sovereign decisions of the competent authorities were decisive. Without them, nothing would have been possible.
I am not skilled enough to launch such a movement with a single article. I drafted numerous letters addressed to the British Government, the Coastguard, port authorities, the organisers of the Tall Ships Races, the Aberdeen municipality, the press, and supporters of Ukraine. These letters resulted in more than fifteen articles.
Such a mobilisation was the result of a collective effort. Activists based in the United Kingdom, official representatives of Ukraine in the UK, and the institutions responsible for enforcing the sanctions all played essential roles. Far from being chaotic, this coordination represents a structured, transnational, and shared effort. It achieved concrete and lasting results.
This case further illustrates that carefully considered, collective, and lawful actions tend to have effects far beyond what any single actor might anticipate, producing outcomes that are both lasting and widely visible.
It also demonstrates that sustained and lawful action is most effective when it originates from a decentralised yet highly coordinated community that operates across borders and is capable of consistent action over time.
I would also like to commend the British maritime authorities for their professionalism and respect for the rule of law. Their conduct, in accordance with their international commitments, should serve as an example for France and for all states facing similar situations.
The enforcement of the port ban and the non-participation of the Shtandart in the Tall Ships Races constitute an important milestone. Its outcomes are tangible and will continue to have an impact in the months to come. This is a collective success, rooted in respect for the law and decisions of States. It was made possible by the coordinated efforts of many actors.
I wanted to share these clarifications so that the real context, the roles of the different parties, and the collective nature of this achievement are fully understood.
Yours sincerely,
Bernard Grua
Spokesperson for the collective
No Shtandart In Europe
Email: noshtandartineurope@gmail.com
Website: https://bit.ly/No-Shtandart
Facebook: groups/noshtandartineurope
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Editorial Note
While the attention brought by the article is appreciated, it is worth noting that the real story lies in the collective, lawful, and structured effort behind the actions regarding the Shtandart. The coordination, transparency, and dedication of all involved stand in stark contrast to the notion of chaos, and it is this calm, measured approach that has truly made a difference.
Alexander Francis Shaw
Alexander Francis Shaw is a scriptwriter and presenter for Visegrád24, a former aide–de–camp to Nigel Farage, and a yachtsman based on the Scottish West Coast.
Mallaig Harbour Authority and Shtandart
Alexander Francis Shaw’s report
Each is a showcase of his ability to sow confusion, pressure small ports into erring on the side of caution, and then claim their decisions as triumphs of his own making, hoping the precedent will harden into policy.
It didn’t work on Mallaig. Having more decisive courage than anyone above them in the chain of command the ladies quietly agreed that, innocent until proven guilty, they would grant Shtandart entry to the port to take on fresh water.
Alexander Francis Shaw, Visegrád24, 20 December 2025
Mallaig Harbour Authority actual position
Mallaig Harbour Authority website
Official statement from Mallaig Harbour, clarifying its position regarding TS Shtandart’s visit in July 2025.
On 13th July, some of you may have seen the Tall Ship Shtandart sailing past the Harbour and into Loch Nevis. TS Shtandart was built in Russia, as a replica of the 1703 Frigate commissioned by Peter the Great, and launched in 1999. She was originally making her way to Aberdeen to join the Tall Ships Race. However, due to sanctions imposed when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, which were extended to include replica ships in June 2024, TS Shtandart is not permitted to dock in British Ports, including Aberdeen, and therefore was refused permission to formally participate in the Tall Ships Race.
If you want to read more about both sides of the argument, you can access the TS Shtandart website at https://shtandart.eu/ and the ‘No Shtandart in Europe’ website at https://bernardgrua.net/. The ship’s berthing in Loch Nevis did result in a morning of seeking advice from various sources and a bit of a moral dilemma for us in Mallaig as to whether we would allow them to berth and take water if requested. In the end we were thankful that the request did not come, and that Shtandart sailed off North.
Mallaig Harbour Authority on Facebook
Excerpt from Mallaig Harbour’s Facebook page, confirming that TS Shtandart did not request to berth and sailed off without incident.
TS Shtandart passing on her way up Loch Nevis, before heading on to Aberdeen for the Tall Ships race.
EDIT: We have been made aware that this vessel is currently under sanctions. You can read the Shtandart’s story here https://shtandart.eu/, and the alternative viewpoint here https://bit.ly/No-Shtandart
The "Shtandart" In Europe 