Attention: HM Coastguard Irish Coastguard HM Harbour Masters and Port Authorities Irish Harbour Masters and Port Authorities Ceclant (France’s Commander in Chief for the Atlantic)
Copies: Ukrainian Embassy in Ireland Ukrainian Embassy in Great Britain Ukrainian Embassy in France Ukrinform Plast London Union des Ukrainiens de France
Re: Alert! On 6 July 2025, the Russian sailing ship Shtandart (MMSI: 518999255) disabled its AIS transmitter in the Irish Sea in order to conceal its position.
7 July 2025
Dear Sir/Madam,
The positions of the shadow Russian sailing ship Shtandart (MMSI: 518999255), flying the flag of the Cook Islands (attachments) since 6 July 2024, are no longer visible on Marine Traffic and Vessel Finder.
It appears that the Russian skipper and hidden owner of the vessel, Vladimir Martus, has disconnected the AIS (Automatic Identification System) to conceal his route, anchorages and any stopovers. The ship’s last known position was N52°50’39.49 W005°45’35.11 at 10:30 UTC on 6 July 2025.
To: BreakingNews.ie, Dublin Live, Echo live, Evening Herald, Herald AM, Irish Daily Mail, Irish Daily Star, Irish Examiner, Irish News, Irish News of the World, Metro, NorthernSound, RTE.ie, The Irish Independent, The Irish Mirror, The Irish Post, The Irish Sun, The Irish Times
Re: Alert ! Sanctionned-Russian ship « Shtandart » plans illegal calls in Dublin and other Ireland ports, very soon (possibly from today on)
6 July, 2025
Dear Madam, Dear Sir,
The Russian propaganda ship Shtandart(MMSI: 518999255) is expected to dock very soon, today or tomorrow, in Dublin. However, it may also call at other Irish ports. We alert the Irish authorities so that they can prevent this fraud relating to European sanctions in their ports and territorial waters.
1. The Shtandart (MMSI: 518999255), a Russian dark ship
In an attempt to evade European sanctions, the Russian vessel Shtandart was registered under the convenience flag of the Cook Islands on 6 June 2024, and ownership of the vessel was transferred from the Saint Petersburg-based company Shtandart Project to Mariia Martus, who obtained Finnish citizenship after studying in Helsinki. Mariia Martus is the daughter of Vladimir Martus, the Russian skipper and de facto owner of the Shtandart.
2. A violation of the sanctions imposed following the Russian massacre in Bucha.
The Shtandart‘s summer 2025 tour violates Article 3ea of Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014, introduced in response to the fifth round of sanctions imposed following the Bucha massacre.
1. After 16 April 2022, it shall be prohibited to provide access to ports and, after 29 July 2022, to locks in the territory of the Union to ANY vessel registered under the flag of Russia. Such vessels shall not be permitted to access ports or locks, except for the purpose of leaving the territory of the Union…
According to European regulations, changing a ship’s country of registration does not exempt it from port sanctions.
2. Paragraph 1 (port prohibition) shall apply to vessels that have changed their Russian flag or their registration, to the flag or register of any other State after 24 February 2022.
Please note that on 24 June 2024, the 27 Member States of the European Council confirmed that the Shtandart falls within the scope of EU port sanctions.
In paragraph 3, point (a) is replaced by the following: ‘(a) a ship falling within the scope of the relevant international conventions, including replicas of historical ships’.
The Russian ship’s captain and hidden owner, Vladimir Martus, believes that he can disembark unannounced at the destinations he has chosen, in violation of the sanctions resulting from Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine. This is because he is falsely presenting himself as an “opponent of the Russian regime”, and he is confident that he can resort to “ humanitarian” blackmail.
3. Vladimir Martus, a false opponent and a promoter of Russian interests
Martus has falsely claimed to be an ‘opponent’ of the Russian regime since March 2022. Since June 2024, he has claimed not to have had any contact with Russia. In reality, however, he is closely associated with the Russian regime and its propaganda outlets. The following is the documented and sourced result of the collective ‘No Shtandart for Europe’ research:
DOSSIER. The Shtandart, propaganda organs and Russian media. (Summer 2024: Vladimir Martus gave interviews to Russian propaganda outlets: RIA Novosti, TASS, RBC, Izvestia, etc. He was presented as a national hero for fighting against the French authorities, sanctions, and European institutions in hundreds of Russian press articles).
The Ouest-France Bretagne editorial team’s in-depth work must also be examined.
In RUSSIA, the “Kombat-tour” agency is particularly promoting the illegal commercial activity of Shtandart on the coasts of Western Europe:Открыт набор в Комбат-тур!
Moreover, if Shtandart is short on cash as Vladimir Martus claims, one question arises: Who is funding the flurry of legal action initiated by ‘Martus TV GmbH’ and Vladimir Martus against the French authorities, sanctions, and European institutions?
4. Unannounced dockings
We are alerting to the fact that, if the Shtandart is banned from entering a particular port, it will attempt to enter another neighbouring port without prior notice. This is a practice that it has generalized since 2022 on the Iberian Peninsula. Here below are some recent examples:
On 4 July 2024 at 16:41 (UTC), we informed the Harbour Master of St Mary’s, in the Isles of Scilly, that the Shtandart was probably attempting an unannounced port call. The Harbour Master of St Mary’s contacted his counterpart in Falmouth. At 17:21 (UTC), the Russian vessel changed course to reach Ireland’ coast.
Due to this now-classic modus operandi, the Spanish maritime authorities expressly notified the Shtandart on July 24, 2024, that the ban applies to all ports in Spain.
Failure to comply with these and other instructions resulted in the Russian vessel being expelled from and completely banned from Spanish territorial waters on 27 July 2024.
Despite being banned from Spanish territorial waters, Vladimir Martus is advertising cruises to and from Portugalete, Spain, from 26 to 28 September 2025. How is this possible? The crook is confident in his ‘humanitarian’ blackmail strategy.
5. ‘Humanitarian’ blackmail to force access to prohibited ports.
Vladimir Martus deliberately chooses to sail the Shtandart to places he is not permitted to visit. There, he gains access to forbidden ports by playing his favourite ‘humanitarian’ blackmail game.
Vladimir Martus abuses paragraph 4 of Article 3ea of Regulation (EU) No 833/2014, stating that access to ports should be granted for safety or emergency reasons. He claims that the crew does not have sufficient food or water to complete the long journey to their next (prohibited) port of call.
4. Paragraphs 1 and 1a (port prohibition) shall not apply in the case of a vessel in need of assistance seeking a place of refuge, of an emergency port call for reasons of maritime safety, or for saving life at sea.
Surprisingly, the skipper of the delinquent ship has never been prosecuted for deliberately endangering the lives of others, especially underage customers. Nor has he ever been forbidden to take on passengers who are not adults, including nationals of the country he is visiting. He uses them as hostages in his deceptions. that should be explored in order to punish the perversity of his methods.
6. How is it possible to put an end to this thuggish behavior?
To stop these abuses of the law and repeated infringements, we respectfully suggest that Irish authorities follow Spain’s example. The Shtandart should be banned from their territorial waters. Before its final expulsion, the Russian vessel could be permitted to replenish its supplies with enough water, food, and fuel to reach a country without port sanctions. If the Shtandart does not wish to return to Russia, it can set sail for Tangier, where it has docked twice since 2024 and is scheduled to dock again on October 10, 2025.
Subsequently, if the Shtandart continues to access prohibited waters and ports, Vladimir Martus should be arrested and expelled to Russia. The ship should then be sent to Russia or the next sanction-free port under the supervision of the second captain or a professional crew at the expense of the “owner”, Mariia Martus, and the charterer, “Martus TV GmbH”. Vladimir Martus’s German residency permit should be revoked.
All the other information needed is in the following document that we have prepared for our friends from abroad. Nevertheless, please do not hesitate to ask us any questions you may have.
To: the Coast Guard, Harbour Masters & Port Authorities of eastern Irish coasts.
Re: Urgent ! Sanctionned-Russian ship « Shtandart » plans illegal calls in Ireland ports, very soon (possibly from today on)
5 July 2025
Dear Madam, Dear Sir,
This summer, the Russian propaganda ship Shtandart(MMSI: 518999255) is offering illegal cruises to various destinations. During its voyage to Aberdeen (2–20 July 2025), it is expected to dock in Dublin. However, it may also call at other Irish ports. We alert the Irish authorities so that they can prevent this fraud relating to European sanctions in their ports and territorial waters.
1. The Shtandart (MMSI: 518999255), a Russian dark ship
In an attempt to evade European sanctions, the Russian vessel Shtandart was registered under the convenience flag of the Cook Islands on 24 June 2024, and ownership of the vessel was transferred from the Saint Petersburg-based company Shtandart Project to Mariia Martus, who obtained Finnish citizenship after studying in Helsinki. Mariia Martus is the daughter of Vladimir Martus, the Russian skipper and de facto owner of the Shtandart.
Update: 6 July 2025, 18:00 UTC. Like other ships from the Russian shadow fleet, the Shtandart disconnected its AIS (Automatic Identification System) a few hours ago.
2. A violation of the sanctions imposed following the Russian massacre in Bucha.
The Shtandart‘s summer 2025 tour violates Article 3ea of Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014, introduced in response to the fifth round of sanctions imposed following the Bucha massacre.
1. After 16 April 2022, it shall be prohibited to provide access to ports and, after 29 July 2022, to locks in the territory of the Union to ANY vessel registered under the flag of Russia. Such vessels shall not be permitted to access ports or locks, except for the purpose of leaving the territory of the Union…
According to European regulations, changing a ship’s country of registration does not exempt it from port sanctions.
2. Paragraph 1 (port prohibition) shall apply to vessels that have changed their Russian flag or their registration, to the flag or register of any other State after 24 February 2022.
Please note that on 24 June 2024, the 27 Member States of the European Council confirmed that the Shtandart falls within the scope of EU port sanctions.
In paragraph 3, point (a) is replaced by the following: ‘(a) a ship falling within the scope of the relevant international conventions, including replicas of historical ships’.
The Russian ship’s captain and hidden owner, Vladimir Martus, believes that he can disembark unannounced at the destinations he has chosen, in violation of the sanctions resulting from Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine. This is because he is falsely presenting himself as an “opponent of the Russian regime”, and he is confident that he can resort to “ humanitarian” blackmail.
3. Vladimir Martus, a false opponent and a promoter of Russian interests
Martus has falsely claimed to be an ‘opponent’ of the Russian regime since March 2022. Since June 2024, he has claimed not to have had any contact with Russia. In reality, however, he is closely associated with the Russian regime and its propaganda outlets. The following is the documented and sourced result of the collective ‘No Shtandart for Europe’ research:
DOSSIER. The Shtandart, propaganda organs and Russian media. (Summer 2024: Vladimir Martus gave interviews to Russian propaganda outlets: RIA Novosti, TASS, RBC, Izvestia, etc. He was presented as a national hero for fighting against the French authorities, sanctions, and European institutions in hundreds of Russian press articles).
The Ouest-France Bretagne editorial team’s in-depth work must also be examined.
In RUSSIA, the “Kombat-tour” agency is particularly promoting the illegal commercial activity of Shtandart on the coasts of Western Europe:Открыт набор в Комбат-тур!
Moreover, if Shtandart is short on cash as Vladimir Martus claims, one question arises: Who is funding the flurry of legal action initiated by ‘Martus TV GmbH’ and Vladimir Martus against the French authorities, sanctions, and European institutions?
4. Unannounced dockings
We are alerting to the fact that, if the Shtandart is banned from entering a particular port, it will attempt to enter another neighbouring port without prior notice. This is a practice that it has generalized since 2022 on the Iberian Peninsula. Here below are some recent examples:
On 4 July 2024 at 16:41 (UTC), we informed the Harbour Master of St Mary’s, in the Isles of Scilly, that the Shtandart was probably attempting an unannounced port call. The Harbour Master of St Mary’s contacted his counterpart in Falmouth. At 17:21 (UTC), the Russian vessel changed course. It is now possibly heading for Ireland.
Marine Traffic, 04/07/2025
Due to this now-classic modus operandi, the Spanish maritime authorities expressly notified the Shtandart on July 24, 2024, that the ban applies to all ports in Spain.
Failure to comply with these and other instructions resulted in the Russian vessel being expelled from and completely banned from Spanish territorial waters on 27 July 2024.
Despite being banned from Spanish territorial waters, Vladimir Martus is advertising cruises to and from Portugalete, Spain, from 26 to 28 September 2025. How is this possible? The crook is confident in his ‘humanitarian’ blackmail strategy.
5. ‘Humanitarian’ blackmail to force access to prohibited ports.
Vladimir Martus deliberately chooses to sail the Shtandart to places he is not permitted to visit. There, he gains access to forbidden ports by playing his favourite ‘humanitarian’ blackmail game.
Vladimir Martus abuses paragraph 4 of Article 3ea of Regulation (EU) No 833/2014, stating that access to ports should be granted for safety or emergency reasons. He claims that the crew does not have sufficient food or water to complete the long journey to their next (prohibited) port of call.
4. Paragraphs 1 and 1a (port prohibition) shall not apply in the case of a vessel in need of assistance seeking a place of refuge, of an emergency port call for reasons of maritime safety, or for saving life at sea.
Surprisingly, the skipper of the delinquent ship has never been prosecuted for deliberately endangering the lives of others, especially underage customers. Nor has he ever been forbidden to take on passengers who are not adults, including nationals of the country he is visiting. He uses them as hostages in his deceptions. that should be explored in order to punish the perversity of his methods.
6. How is it possible to put an end to this thuggish behavior?
To stop these abuses of the law and repeated infringements, we respectfully suggest that Irish authorities follow Spain’s example. The Shtandart should be banned from their territorial waters. Before its final expulsion, the Russian vessel could be permitted to replenish its supplies with enough water, food, and fuel to reach a country without port sanctions. If the Shtandart does not wish to return to Russia, it can set sail for Tangier, where it has docked twice since 2024 and is scheduled to dock again on October 10, 2025.
Subsequently, if the Shtandart continues to access prohibited waters and ports, Vladimir Martus should be arrested and expelled to Russia. The ship should then be sent to Russia or the next sanction-free port under the supervision of the second captain or a professional crew at the expense of the “owner”, Mariia Martus, and the charterer, “Martus TV GmbH”. Vladimir Martus’s German residency permit should be revoked.
All the other information needed is in the following document that we have prepared for our friends from abroad. Nevertheless, please do not hesitate to ask us any questions you may have.
This summer, the Russian propaganda ship Shtandart is offering illegal cruises to various destinations, including France, the UK, Ireland, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Spain and Portugal. During its voyage from Saint-Malo to Aberdeen (2–20 July 2025), it is expected to dock in Dublin. However, it may also call at other Irish ports. We must collectively stand up to this fraud and put an end to it.
This video was created by the Shtandart‘s team for advertising purposes and was initially posted on the ‘Shtandart Project’ Facebook page on 28/06/2025. Please note that port calls are prohibited for the Shtandart in the United Kingdom due to UK sanctions, and in Ireland due to EU sanctions. Note also the pirate flag on the ‘ship’. This is further evidence of the Shtandart’s outlaw status, and of Vladimir Martus’s disdain for the regulations and authorities of the countries he visits.
A violation of the sanctions that were imposed following the Russian massacre in Bucha.
Such a tour violates Article 3ea of Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014, which was introduced in response to the fifth round of sanctions imposed after the Bucha massacre.
1. After 16 April 2022, it shall be prohibited to provide access to ports and, after 29 July 2022, to locks in the territory of the Union to ANY vessel registered under the flag of Russia. Such vessels shall not be permitted to access ports or locks, except for the purpose of leaving the territory of the Union…
Please note that on 24 June 2024, the 27 Member States of the European Council confirmed that the Shtandart falls within the scope of EU port sanctions.
In paragraph 3, point (a) is replaced by the following: ‘(a) a ship falling within the scope of the relevant international conventions, including replicas of historical ships’.
The russian ship’s captain and hidden owner, Vladimir Martus, has nothing but contempt for the regulations, court rulings, authorities and institutions of the countries he visits. He believes that he can disembark unannounced at the destinations he has chosen, in violation of the sanctions resulting from Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine. This is because he is falsely presenting himself as an opponent of the Russian regime, and he is confident that he can resort to « humanitarian » blackmail.
Vladimir Martus, a false opponent and a promoter of Russian interests
Martus has falsely claimed to be an ‘opponent’ of the Russian regime since March 2022. Since June 2024, he has claimed not to have had any contact with Russia. In reality, however, he is closely associated with the Russian regime and its propaganda outlets. The following is the documented and sourced result of the collective ‘No Shtandart for Europe’ research:
DOSSIER. The Shtandart, propaganda organs and Russian media. (Summer 2024: Vladimir Martus gave interviews to Russian propaganda outlets: RIA Novosti, TASS, RBC, Izvestia, etc. He was presented as a national hero for fighting against the French authorities, sanctions, and European institutions in hundreds of Russian press articles).
The Ouest-France Bretagne editorial team’s in-depth work must also be examined.
In RUSSIA, the Kombat-tour agency is particularly promoting the illegal commercial activity of Shtandart on the coasts of Western Europe: Открыт набор в Комбат-тур!
Moreover, if Standart is short on cash as Vladimir Martus claims, one question arises: Who is funding the flurry of legal action initiated by ‘Martus TV GmbH’ and Vladimir Martus against the French authorities, sanctions, and European institutions?
Unannounced dockings
We are alerting to the fact that, if the Shtandart is banned from entering a particular port, it will attempt to enter another neighbouring port without prior notice. This is a practice that it has generalized since 2022 on the Iberian Peninsula.
Despite being banned from Spanish territorial waters, Vladimir Martus is advertising cruises to and from Portugalete, Spain, from 26 to 28 September 2025. How is this possible? The crook is confident in his ‘humanitarian’ blackmail strategy.
‘Humanitarian’ blackmail to force the access to prohibited ports.
Vladimir Martus deliberately chooses to sail the Shtandart to places he is not permitted to visit. There, he gains access to forbidden ports by playing his favourite ‘humanitarian’ blackmail game.
Vladimir Martus abuses paragraph 4 of Article 3ea of Regulation (EU) No 833/2014, stating that access to ports should be granted for safety or emergency reasons. He claims that the crew does not have sufficient food or water to complete the long journey to their next (prohibited) port of call.
4. Paragraphs 1 and 1a (port prohibition) shall not apply in the case of a vessel in need of assistance seeking a place of refuge, of an emergency port call for reasons of maritime safety, or for saving life at sea.
Surprisingly, the skipper of the delinquent ship has never been prosecuted for deliberately endangering the lives of others, especially underage customers . Nor has he ever been forbidden to take on passengers who are not adults, including nationals of the country he is visiting. He uses them as hostages in his deceptions. that should be explored in order to punish the perversity of his methods.
Русский военный корабль, иди на хуй!
It would be a great help if pro-Ukraine activists in Ireland could alert the Irish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the Maritime authorities to this case. Informing the media isalso of importance.
Department of Foreign Affairs Iveagh House, 80 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, D02 VY53, Ireland Tel: +353 1 408 2000
All the information needed is in the following document that we have prepared for our friends from abroad. Nevertheless, please do not hesitate to ask us any questions you may have.
To the Harbour Masters and Port Authorities of: Plymouth, Falmouth, Milford Haven, Holyhead, Liverpool, Douglas Isle of Man, Belfast, Islay, Oban, Caledonian Canal, Tobermory, Mallaig, Kyle, Plockton, Uig, Portree, Gairloch, Ullapool, Lochinver, Kinlochbervie, Helmsdale, Inverness, Nairn, Peterhead, Aberdeen (see interactive map below)
Re: in July 2025, the Russian propaganda ship « Shtandart » is planning to violate UK port sanctions.
1 July 2025
Dear Madam, Dear Sir,
The Shtandart, a Russian-sanctioned propaganda ship, has scheduled numerous illegal stopovers in British ports during July 2025. The Secretary of State for Transport, the maritime authorities and the Coastguard are to be alerted in order to enforce the restrictive measures taken following the outbreak of the genocidal large-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Vladimir Martus, the skipper and hidden owner of the Shtandart, has close links to the presidential administration and Russian propaganda agencies. He has been evading sanctions in Western Europe for more than three years now, despite the fact that the European Council has taken a position that directly concerns him and despite there being unambiguous court rulings. To achieve its aims, Martus uses the tactics of ‘fait accompli’ and ‘humanitarian’ blackmail. He also benefits from a powerful network of influence within state apparatuses.
We have prepared a presentation for you that will tell you everything you need to know about how this fraud is organised. It is documented and referenced.
To: the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI):
Re : in July 2025, the Russian propaganda ship « Shtandart » is planning to violate UK port sanctions
2 July 2025
Dear Madam, Dear Sir,
The Shtandart, a Russian-sanctioned propaganda ship, has scheduled numerous illegal stopovers in British ports during July 2025. The Secretary of State for Transport, Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI), the maritime authorities and the Coastguard are to be alerted in order to enforce the restrictive measures taken following the outbreak of the genocidal large-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Vladimir Martus, the skipper and hidden owner of the Shtandart, has close links to the presidential administration and Russian propaganda agencies. He has been evading sanctions in Western Europe for more than three years now, despite the fact that the European Council has taken a position that directly concerns him and despite there being unambiguous court rulings. To achieve its aims, Martus uses the tactics of ‘fait accompli’ and ‘humanitarian’ blackmail. He also benefits from a powerful network of influence within state apparatuses.
We have prepared a presentation for you that will tell you everything you need to know about how this fraud is organised. It is documented and referenced.
Re: in July 2025, the Russian propaganda ship « Shtandart » is planning to violate UK port sanctions
1 July 2025
The Shtandart, a Russian-sanctioned propaganda ship, has scheduled numerous illegal stopovers in British ports during July 2025. The Secretary of State for Transport, the maritime authorities and the Coastguard are to be alerted in order to enforce the restrictive measures taken following the outbreak of the genocidal large-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Vladimir Martus, the skipper and hidden owner of the Shtandart, has close links to the presidential administration and Russian propaganda agencies. He has been evading sanctions in Western Europe for more than three years now, despite the fact that the European Council has taken a position that directly concerns him and despite there being unambiguous court rulings. To achieve its aims, Martus uses the tactics of ‘fait accompli’ and ‘humanitarian’ blackmail. He also benefits from a powerful network of influence within state apparatuses.
We have prepared a presentation for you that will tell you everything you need to know about how this fraud is organised. It is documented and referenced.
To: Coastguard Infoline, Coastguard Public Relations, and Coastguard’s headquarters in Aberdeen, Belfast, Cardiff, Colchester, Glasgow, Hull, Liverpool, Plymouth, and Southampton.
Re: in July 2025, the Russian propaganda ship « Shtandart » is planning to violate UK port sanctions.
1 July 2025
Dear Madam, Dear Sir,
The Shtandart, a Russian-sanctioned propaganda ship, has scheduled numerous illegal stopovers in British ports during July 2025. The Secretary of State for Transport, the maritime authorities and the Coastguard are to be alerted in order to enforce the restrictive measures taken following the outbreak of the genocidal large-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Vladimir Martus, the skipper and hidden owner of the Shtandart, has close links to the presidential administration and Russian propaganda agencies. He has been evading sanctions in Western Europe for more than three years now, despite the fact that the European Council has taken a position that directly concerns him and despite there being unambiguous court rulings. To achieve its aims, Martus uses the tactics of ‘fait accompli’ and ‘humanitarian’ blackmail. He also benefits from a powerful network of influence within state apparatuses.
We have prepared a presentation for you that will tell you everything you need to know about how this fraud is organised. It is documented and referenced.
To: BBC, i Paper, Metro, The Daily Express, The Daily Mail, The Daily Mail Online, The Daily Star, The Daily Star Sunday, The Daily Telegraph, The Evening Standard, The Financial Times, The Guardian, The Mail on Sunday, The Mirror, The Sun, The Sunday Express, The Sunday Mirror, The Sunday Times, The Times
Re: in July 2025, the Russian propaganda ship « Shtandart » is planning to violate UK port sanctions.
1 July 2025
Dear Madam, Dear Sir,
The Shtandart, a Russian-sanctioned propaganda ship, has scheduled numerous illegal stopovers in British ports during July 2025. The Secretary of State for Transport, the maritime authorities and the Coastguard are to be alerted in order to enforce the restrictive measures taken following the outbreak of the genocidal large-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Vladimir Martus, the skipper and hidden owner of the Shtandart, has close links to the presidential administration and Russian propaganda agencies. He has been evading sanctions in Western Europe for more than three years now, despite the fact that the European Council has taken a position that directly concerns him and despite there being unambiguous court rulings. To achieve its aims, Martus employs “fait accompli” and “humanitarian” blackmail. He also benefits from a powerful network of influence, including within the French state apparatus itself.
If you would like to report on this scandalous case, we have prepared a documented and referenced presentation for you
The Shtandart, a Russian-sanctioned propaganda ship, has scheduled numerous illegal stopovers in British ports during July 2025. The Secretary of State for Transport, the maritime authorities, the Coastguard and the British press are to be alerted in order to enforce the restrictive measures taken following the outbreak of the genocidal large-scale invasion of Ukraine.
After more than three years of fraud, the Shtandart must be banned from the territorial waters of the countries it targets voluntarily or by order. Should the ship commit a new offense, its skipper and hidden owner, Vladimir Martus — who has links to the presidential administration and Russian propaganda agencies — should be arrested and deported to his country of origin. The Shtandart should then be escorted, at the expense of the shipowner and charterer, to Russia or a country without port sanctions.
All the UK potential destinations mentioned on the Shtandart’s website and Facebook page are Falmouth, the Isle of Man, the Caledonian Canal, Loch Ness, the Hebrides, the Pentland Firth, the Orkney Islands, Cape Wrath and Aberdeen.
From Aberdeen to Kristiansand and from Kristiansand to Esbjerg, the Shtandart says it will join the « Tall Ships Races ».
With this link,an interactive map. You can scroll, zoom, and click on routes or ports for accessing more details. However, because Shtandart‘s plans are constantly changing, make sure you have up-to-date information by checking its website: Sail with Shtandart.
2.Illegal sales: how does Shtandart behaves against law, judicial decisions, institutions and authorities of countries visited?
The Russian vessel Shtandart is scheduled to arrive in Saint-Malo on July 2, 2025. This would violate the prefectural order of August 23, 2024, and Article 3ea of Council Regulation (EU) No 833/20141, which was enacted as part of the fifth round of sanctions2 imposed for the Bucha massacre3.
These provisions were confirmed by a letter of EU Commission4 to the collective « No Shtandart in Europe », by the Rennes (FR) Administrative Court5, on 11 July 2024, and by France’s Council of State6, on 18 November 2024.
On 14 June 2025, the “No Shtandart in Europe » collective alerted the prefect of the Ille-et-Vilaine department, which includes Saint-Malo, to the imminent arrival of the Russian vessel. On 19 June 2025, the prefect confirmed that the Shtandart had been banned from all ports in his department.
However, as of 23 June 2025, the Shtandartcontinues to sell cruises departing from or arriving in Saint-Malo.
3. What does UK legislation say about port sanctions for Russian ships?
Access to British ports is forbidden for« a ship owned, controlled, chartered or operated by persons connected with Russia »and/or for« a ship flying the Russian flag ».
On 28 February 2022, the British Secretary of State for Transport published an instruction closing UK ports for Russian ships. This instruction was quickly passed into UK legislation on 1 March 2022. What refers to Shtandart can be found here :
The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2022 Regulation 6, Prohibition on port entry, 57A – See attachment 2
The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2022 Regulation 6, Interpretation of Part 6, 57I – See attachment 3
The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, Ships: exceptions from prohibition on port entry 61A – See attachment 4
4. Why does the Shtandart fall within the scope of UK sanctions?
4.1. Shtandart is a Russian shadow property.
Until the middle of the first semester of 2024, the Shtandart was owned by the Saint Petersburg–based company “Shtandart Project”7, of which Vladimir Martus owns over 60%. Martus is a Russian citizen8. He was born, grew up, and studied in Saint Petersburg. He is the skipper and de facto owner of the ship. The Shtandart is now reportedly owned by a nominee: Mariia Martus9, Vladimir Martus’s daughter. She studied in Helsinki and obtained Finnish citizenship.
Martus has registered the trademark « Shtandart”1011. He intends to use it as he pleases. He is now threatening legal action against anyone who mentions the name « Shtandart »12, even for informational or reference purposes, if they contradict his narrative. He wants to censor any facts that might be made public that do not correspond to the fiction he is promoting about the Shtandart and himself for the purpose of deception.
As evidenced by its website13, the Shtandart‘s commercial services are invoiced and collected by the company “Martus TV GmbH”14, which is controlled and managed by Vladimir Martus, This limited liability company, domiciled in Hamburg under German law, is often misrepresented as an association to appeal to the public’s generosity. For example, the Shtandart claimed it was short on cash for its winter 2024/2025 dry docking and maintenance. It demanded public financial support via “Martus TV GmbH”15.
Regardless of whether one is interested in its de jure or de facto owner, the Shtandart is a private commercial yacht. It is neither an association vessel nor a foundation-owned vessel, as is widely and falsely claimed. Furthermore, clients boarding the ship cannot be legally considered passengers. They are booked as « trainees » to bypass SOLAS convention requirements.
4.2. Shtandart and its registration flags
The Shtandart was registered under the Russian flag until June 6, 2024, when it shifted to the flag of the Cook Islands16. According to Article 3ea §2 of Regulation (EU) No 833/2014, changing the country of registration does not exempt the ship from EU sanctions. Nevertheless, despite its false allegation that it no longer has any links with Russia, the propagandist continues to fly the Russian imperial flag at the top of the mainmast. This was visible throughout the recent « Gulf of Morbihan Week 2025 » (May 26 to June 1, 2025). Moreover, Vladimir Marus continues to cultivate close ties with Russian interests.
4.3. Shtandart, Vladimir Martus, and Russian Interests
Martus claims to be an « opponent » of the Russian regime. In fact, he is close to the Russian regime and its propaganda outlets. The following is the documented and sourced result of the collective « No Shtandart for Europe » research:
DOSSIER. The Shtandart, propaganda organs and Russian media. (Summer 2024: Vladimir Martus gave interviews to Russian propaganda outlets: RIA Novosti, TASS, RBC, Izvestia, etc. He was presented as a national hero for fighting against the French authorities, sanctions, and European institutions in hundreds of Russian press articles).
It is also important to examine the in-depth work carried out by the Ouest-France Bretagne editorial team.
If, as Vladimir Martus says, Standart is short on cash, one question arises: Who is paying for the frenzy of legal action launched by “Martus TV GmbH” and Vladimir Martus against the French authorities, the sanctions, and the European institutions?
The Shtandart is clearly « a ship owned, controlled, chartered or operated by persons connected with Russia« . Its actual flag is Russian.
5. How could the Shtandart bypass UK sanctions?
5.1. Unannounced dockings
We are alerting to the fact that, if the Shtandart is banned from entering a particular port, it will attempt to enter another neighboring port without prior notice. This is a practice that it has generalized since 2022 on the Iberian Peninsula. This is announced on its website for Saint-Malo, for example.
It tried to achieve an unannounced docking in Le Havre17 on May 4, 2025.
“The historic frigate Shtandart, which was not permitted to enter EU ports due to pressure from pro-Ukrainian activists, departed Spanish territorial waters and headed to the open sea.” (Ru)
The Spanish authorities – their hands are tied by the decisions of the European Union, and we are going to challenge these decisions. “The Shtandart should sail the seas freely, seafaring in general should be free, the ocean is a zone of freedom, and this is what I personally fight for and what drives me in all these adventures with bans,” Martus told TASS. (Ru)
We believe that, by implementing a method first used in Vigo in July 2022, the Shtandart will manipulate public opinion and the media through « humanitarian » blackmail. It will abuse paragraphs 1.a) and 2.b) of UK Regulation 61A, which states, « The prohibition in regulation 57A (1&2) (prohibition on port entry) is not contravened by providing a ship with access to a port if…the access is needed by the ship in case of emergency. »The Shtandart will use this method to force access to the port it desires. The Shtandart will argue that its crew does not have enough food and water to undertake the long journey to its next (forbidden) port of call.
However, as mentioned previously, the Shtandart was formally notified in July 2024 of its prohibition from accessing Spanish ports and territorial waters. Nevertheless, it continues to sell cruises to Portugalete18 and from this port19 (September 26–28, 2025) on its website. Vladimir Martus disregards legal provisions. He makes cold calculations when it comes to destinations that are forbidden to him, confident in the power of his “humanitarian” blackmail, particularly if he has underage customers on board. The maritime authorities are often blamed in their national and Russian press for the twists and turns resulting from this fait accompli practice. They are insulted and taken to task, including in court, to force them to submit to the wishes of the Russian fraudster.
» The situation on the ship will deteriorate rapidly. They already have a water shortage. No state authority has the right to prohibit a ship from entering a port to obtain supplies,” said Hellequin, who previously represented the Brest seafarers’ union.
This morning, the captain of the Shtandart, Vladimir Martus, issued a desperate SOS alerting the maritime authorities. Drinking water is scarce, food is insufficient, and the impending 750-nautical-mile crossing to their next destination seems suicidal. Mechanical failures, supply shortages, and international sanctions endanger the lives of the eleven crew members.
Surprisingly, the skipper of the delinquent ship has never been prosecuted for deliberately endangering the lives of others. Nor has he ever been forbidden to take on passengers who are not adults, including nationals of the country he is visiting. He uses them as hostages in his deceptions. These are, however, avenues to explore in order to punish the perversity of his method.
6. How is it possible to put an end to this thuggish behavior?
To stop these abuses of the law and repeated infringements, we suggest that authorities in various countries follow Spain’s example. The Shtandart should be banned from their territorial waters20. Before its final expulsion, the Russian vessel could be permitted to replenish its supplies with enough water, food, and fuel to reach a country without port sanctions. If the Shtandart does not wish to return to Russia, it can set sail for Tangier21, where it has docked twice since 2024 and is scheduled to dock again on October 10, 2025.
Subsequently, if the Shtandart continues to access prohibited waters and ports, Vladimir Martus should be arrested and expelled to Russia. The ship should then be sent to Russia or the next sanction-free port under the supervision of the second captain or a professional crew at the expense of the “owner”, Mariia Martus22, and the charterer, “Martus TV GmbH”. Vladimir Martus’s German residency permit23 should be revoked.
A person must not provide a ship to which this paragraph applies with access to a port in the United Kingdom, if the person knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that the ship is a ship to which this paragraph applies.
The master or pilot of a ship to which this paragraph applies must not cause or permit the ship to enter a port in the United Kingdom if the master or pilot knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that the ship is a ship to which this paragraph applies.
Paragraphs (1) and (2) are subject to Part 7 (Exceptions) (see, in particular, regulation 61A (ships: exceptions from prohibitions on port entry)).
A person who contravenes a prohibition in paragraph (1) or (2) commits an offence.
Paragraphs (1) and (2) apply to—
(a) a ship owned, controlled, chartered or operated by a designated person,
(b) a ship owned, controlled, chartered or operated by persons connected with Russia,
(c) a ship flying the flag of Russia,
(d) a ship registered in Russia, or
(e) a specified ship.
In paragraph (5), a “designated person” means a person who is designated under regulation 5 for the purposes of the relevant regulations under this Part.
See also:
Directions prohibiting port entry, 57B
Movement of ships, 57C
Detention of ships, 57D
Registration of ships in the United Kingdom 57E
Specification of ships, 57F
Notification and publicity where specification power used, 57G
For the purposes of regulations 57A to 57H, a ship is—
(a)“owned” by a person if—
(i) the legal title to the ship, or to any share in the ship, is vested in the person, or
(ii) the person has a beneficial interest in the ship or in any share in the ship; and
(b)“controlled” by a person who is able to take decisions about its operation, including (but not limited to) decisions about the route the ship may take and the appointment of master or crew.
For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), a ship is not “controlled” by its master or crew, unless that master or crew are designated persons under the relevant regulations of this Part.
Any reference in this Part to a legal title or other interest includes one held jointly with any other person or persons.
For the purposes of this Part—
“beneficial interest” means any beneficial interest, however arising (whether held by trustee or nominee or arising under a contract or otherwise), other than an interest held by any person as mortgagee;
“specified ship” means a ship specified by the Secretary of State under regulation 57F (specification of ships);
“the relevant regulations of this Part” means regulations 57A, 57C, 57D and 57E.
For the purposes of this Part, a person is to be regarded as “connected with Russia” if the person is—
(a) an individual who is, or an association or combination of individuals who are, ordinarily resident in Russia,
(b)an individual who is, or an association or combination of individuals who are, located in Russia
(c) a person, other than an individual, which is incorporated or constituted under the law of Russia, or
(d)a person, other than an individual, which is domiciled in Russia.
Any expression used in this Part and in section 7 of the Act (shipping sanctions) has the same meaning in this Part as it has in that section.”
The "Shtandart" In Europe 