Acknowledging the French Maritime Prefects for the 5 March 2026 Order on the Russian Vessel TS Shtandart

On 10 March 2026, an official message of thanks was addressed to Vice Admiral Jean-François Quérat, Maritime Prefect of the Atlantic and Commander-in-Chief of the French Forces in the Atlantic. This letter, signed by the Union of Ukrainians in France, the association Iroise-Ukraine and the collective No Shtandart in Europe, expresses their gratitude to the maritime prefects of Cherbourg, Brest and Toulon for the inter-prefectoral order of 5 March 2026 concerning the Russian vessel TS Shtandart.

The signatories emphasize the particularly robust and comprehensive nature of this administrative document, which constitutes an important step in the implementation of European port sanctions adopted following the Bucha massacres and the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation.

---

English translation of the original letter in French

For the attention of:
Vice Admiral Jean-François Quérat
Maritime Prefect of the Atlantic
Commander-in-Chief of the French Forces in the Atlantic

Copies:
– Maritime Prefect of the English Channel and the North Sea
– Maritime Prefect of the Mediterranean
– Mr. Gabriel Attal, Chairman of the France–Ukraine Friendship Group at the National Assembly
– Embassy of Ukraine in France
– Embassy of France in Ukraine

Subject: Thanks for the inter-prefectoral order of 5 March 2026 concerning the Russian vessel TS Shtandart

10 March 2026

Admiral,

On behalf of the Union of Ukrainians in France, the Iroise-Ukraine association, the supporters of the No Shtandart in Europe collective and the French friends of Ukraine, we would like to thank the maritime prefects of Cherbourg, Brest and Toulon for the order of 5 March 2026 concerning the Russian vessel TS Shtandart (MMSI 518999255).

We fully appreciate the exceptional nature of this document. Its quality, comprehensiveness and legal robustness go far beyond the sole context of the Breton cruise marketed by the agency Kombat-Tour. This order represents a significant strengthening in the implementation of European port sanctions adopted following the Bucha massacres and the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation. We are particularly grateful to you for this.

We would like to bring to your attention several factual elements that may help shed light on the recent conduct of this vessel. These elements are provided for information purposes, for the possible assessment of your services responsible for maritime surveillance.

1. Attempts by TS Shtandart to circumvent prohibitions

Following this order, the regulatory framework applicable to TS Shtandart in France now appears similar to that in force in Portugal.

However, in September 2025 the Russian vessel attempted to access several Portuguese ports, notably on the Douro River, in Cascais and in the vicinity of Sagres. The effective enforcement of the regulations was only made possible thanks to the constant monitoring by the Portuguese National Maritime Authority. This led to the questioning of the second officer of TS Shtandart as well as four passengers who were forced to cancel their embarkation (see Annex 1).

These various actions appear to be part of a recurring strategy by TS Shtandart aimed at circumventing European port restrictions, observed in several Member States since 2022.

2. Observations from internal TS Shtandart documents

• An internal testimony published by a member of the crew on the Russian social network VK details several attempts to circumvent sanctions in Portugal in September 2025 (see Annex 2).
• In September 2025, although banned from Spanish territorial waters since 27 July 2024, TS Shtandart entered the waters of Galicia and Andalusia.
• In October 2025, an internal testimony reported an undeclared landing on a Greek island (see Annex 3).
• The vessel deactivated its Automatic Identification System (AIS) on 14 November 2025, which constitutes an operational point of concern.

3. TS Shtandart navigation plans

The vessel is currently in Turkey. According to available information, TS Shtandart has planned a cruise departing from Bodrum with an announced arrival in Bizerte (Tunisia) on 28 April 2026. From that date, it may attempt to reach European ports again, including French ones.

Please accept, Admiral, the expression of our highest consideration.

---

Annexes

Annex 1
Autoridade Marítima Nacional — The National Maritime Authority monitors the sailing vessel TS SHTANDART along the Portuguese coast, 24 September 2025.
Original document in Portuguese.

Annex 1 bis
French translation of the document appearing in Annex 1.
(Translation provided for information purposes.)

Annex 2
Testimony of a TS Shtandart crew member published on the social network VK, 1 October 2025.
Original document in Russian.

Annex 2 bis
English translation of the document appearing in Annex 2.
(Translation provided for information purposes.)

Annex 3
Internal testimony concerning an undeclared landing on a Greek island, 12 October 2025.
Original document in Russian.

Annex 3 bis
English translation of the document appearing in Annex 3.
(Translation provided for information purposes.)

---

Original email

---

Read more about 5 March 2026 order against TS Shtandart