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.”
A la atención de : Prefecto de Ille-et-Vilaine Prefecto Marítimo del Atlántico
Copias: Embajada de Ucrania en Francia Embajada de Ucrania en Gran Bretaña Asociaciones ucranianas en Francia, Gran Bretaña y España Prensa
Re: ¿Cómo ignora el buque ruso «Shtandart» la prohibición prefectoral de hacer escala en el puerto de Saint-Malo?
29 de junio de 2025
Sr. Prefecto, Almirante,
Los amigos de Ucrania y los miembros del colectivo « No Shtandart in Europe » están muy agradecidos al Prefecto de Ille-et-Vilaine y de la región de Bretaña por haber recordado formal y públicamente, el 19 de junio de 2025, que las sanciones europeas se aplican efectivamente al Shtandart y que, por lo tanto, el buque de propaganda ruso tiene prohibido atracar en los puertos del departamento de Ille-et-Vilaine. Esta postura inspira respeto si se tienen en cuenta las redes de influencia que trabajan en beneficio de este buque, en el corazón del aparato del Estado francés. Los prefectos Galy y Blondel de los departamentos de Morbihan y Charente-Maritime, por ejemplo, siguen concediéndoles privilegios.
Se como fuere, el ciudadano ruso Vladimir Martus, capitán y propietario oculto del Shtandart, ha decidido ignorar las instrucciones del prefecto de Ille-et-Vilaine.
El mantenimiento de las escalas en Saint-Malo no es sorprendente. En efecto, aunque Vladimir Martus ha retirado las Islas Anglonormandas de su programa a raíz de la postura adoptada por el gobierno de Jersey, mantiene sus cruceros hacia y desde Portugalete, localidad cercana a Bilbao. Sin embargo, en 2024, ya se le prohibió formalmente atracar en todos los puertos españoles antes de prohibirle el acceso a las aguas territoriales españolas.
El fondeo se solicita con 24 horas de antelación a la estación de señales más cercana.
Se especifican los motivos de la solicitud de fondeo.
Cualquier conexión con tierra se anuncia a la estación de señales más cercana.
Cualquier cambio de personal a bordo se comunica a la estación de señales más cercana.
Los dos amarres deben estar separados por al menos 3 días (la solicitud de amarre debe incluir la fecha del último amarre y su posición).
El ciudadano ruso Martus comentó las instrucciones de Premar a través de Facebook el 18 de agosto de 2024:« Sometimes it becomes even more ridiculous ». De hecho, no cumplió estas condiciones durante la reciente «Semaine du Golfe du Morbihan» (26 de mayo – 1 de junio de 2025). ¿Por qué iba a ser diferente en Saint-Malo?
Vladimir Martus puede elegir amarrar en un departamento vecino a Ille-et-Vilaine. Aunque existe un decreto prefectoral de 14 de agosto de 2024 para el departamento de La Manche, no es el caso del departamento de Côtes d’Armor...
Jean-Paul Jean-Paul Hellequin, «idiota útil» de Vladimir Martus y estrella de la propaganda rusa
Lo más probable es que el Shtandart recurra, como advertimos el 14 de junio de 2025, al chantaje «humanitario», a través del apartado 4 del artículo 3 sexies bis del Reglamento (UE) nº 833/2014. Forzará así el acceso a Saint-Malo. Podrá contar con su devoto « idiota útil », Jean-Paul Hellequin, que hará campaña en este sentido. Hay 335 millas náuticas de La Rochelle a Saint-Malo, 150 millas náuticas de Saint-Malo a Falmouth y casi 1000 millas de Saint-Malo a Aberdeen.
Eso basta para despertar la simpatía de los hogares de la costa bretona, aunque los destinos anunciados sean ficticios. El artículo 3 sexies bis del Reglamento (UE) nº 833/2014 se aplica en Irlanda. En Gran Bretaña existe una prohibición portuaria. El texto « Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2022 Regulation 6 » da fe de ello:
Tenemos buenas razones para creer que el Shtandart encontrará menos apoyo para su evasión de las sanciones portuarias por parte de las autoridades británicas e irlandesas que por parte de ciertas autoridades francesas.
¿Cómo puede Francia poner fin al asunto del buque de propaganda Shtandart?
Saint-Malo es una oportunidad para que Francia ponga fin al fraude de Shtandart, que dura ya más de tres años. Una vez más, proponemos seguir el ejemplo de España. La próxima vez que se produzca una infracción, el buque ruso debería ser expulsado de las aguas territoriales francesas. Como mínimo, Ceclant Premar Atlantique podría prohibirle el acceso a las aguas territoriales entre Bidasoa y Couesnon.
Luego, si el Shtandart sigue entrando en aguas y puertos prohibidos, el falso opositor Vladimir Martus debería ser detenido y deportado al país del que es ciudadano. A continuación, el barco debería ser devuelto a Rusia o al siguiente puerto libre de sanciones bajo la supervisión del primer oficial o de una tripulación profesional, a expensas de Mariia Martus (la «propietaria») y de Martus TV GmbH (el «fletador»). También debería revocarse el permiso de residencia alemán de Vladimir Martus.
For the attention of : Prefect of Ille-et-Vilaine Maritime Prefect of the Atlantic
Copies: Ukrainian Embassy in France Ukrainian Embassy in Great Britain Ukrainian associations in France, Great Britain and Spain Press
Re: How is the Russian ship “Shtandart” ignoring the prefectural ban on calling at the port of Saint-Malo?
June 29, 2025
Mr Prefect, Admiral,
The friends of Ukraine and the members of the « No Shtandart in Europe » collective are very grateful to the Prefect of Ille-et-Vilaine and the Brittany region for formally and publicly reminding us on 19 June 2025 that the European sanctions do indeed apply to the Shtandart and that the Russian propaganda ship is therefore forbidden to dock in the ports of the Ille-et-Vilaine department. This stance commands respect when you consider the networks of influence working for the benefit of this vessel, at the heart of the French state apparatus. The prefects Galy and Blondel in the departments of Morbihan and Charente-Maritime, for example, continue to grant the Shtandart privileges.
Be that as it may, the Russian citizen Vladimir Martus, captain and hidden owner of the Shtandart, has decided to ignore the instructions of the Prefect of Ille-et-Vilaine.
The fact that the Saint-Malo stopovers have been maintained is hardly surprising. Indeed, although Vladimir Martus has removed the Channel Islands (UK) from his programme following the position taken by the Jersey government, he is maintaining his cruises to and from Portugalete, a town close to Bilbao (Spain). However, in 2024, he was already formally banned from docking in all Spanish ports before being banned from Spanish territorial waters.
How can the Shtandart “accommodate” the prefectural ban?
Perhaps the Shtandart, flying the Russian imperial flag at the top of its mainmast, will limit itself to anchoring outside the port of Saint-Malo? If so, we can expect a chorus of boos orchestrated by Jean-Paul Hellequin, president of Mor Glaz, a darling of Russian propaganda agencies. It should be noted that on 16 August 2024, Ceclant Premar Atlantique, via CROSS – Étel, issued strict anchoring instructions.
Anchorage is requested with 24 hours’ notice to the nearest signal station.
The reasons for the anchoring request are specified.
Any connection to land is announced to the nearest signal station.
Any change of personnel on board is communicated to the nearest signal station.Two anchorages are separated by at least 3 days (the anchoring request must include the date of the last anchorage and its position).
Russian citizen Martus commented on Premar’s instructions via Facebook on 18 August 2024: « Sometimes it becomes even more ridiculous ». In fact, he failed to meet these conditions during the recent “Semaine du Golfe du Morbihan” (26 May – 1 June 2025). Why should Saint-Malo be any different?
Vladimir Martus may choose to moor in a neighboring department to Ille-et-Vilaine. Although there is a prefectoral decree dated 14August 2024 for the department of La Manche, this is not the case for the department of Côtes d’Armor…
Jean-Paul Hellequin the “useful idiot” of Vladimir Martus and star of Russian propaganda
More likely, the Shtandart will resort, as we warned on 14 June 2025, to « humanitarian » blackmail, through paragraph 4 ofartícle 3ea of Regulation (EU) nº 833/2014. He will thus force access to Saint-Malo. He will be able to count on his devoted « useful idiot », Jean-Paul Hellequin, who will campaign for this. There are 335 nautical miles from La Rochelle to Saint-Malo, 150 nautical miles from Saint-Malo to Falmouth, and almost 1,000 miles from Saint-Malo to Aberdeen.
That’s enough to arouse the sympathy of households along the Breton coast, even if the destinations advertised are fictitious. Article 3ea of Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 applies in Ireland. A port ban exists in Great Britain. The text « Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2022 Regulation 6 » bears witness to this:
We have good reason to believe that the Shtandart will find less support for its evasion of port sanctions from the British and Irish authorities than from certain French authorities.
How can France put an end to the Shtandart propaganda ship case?
Saint-Malo is an opportunity for France to put an end to the Shtandart fraud, which has been going on for over three years. Once again, we propose to follow Spain’s example. The next time there is an infringement, the Russian vessel should be banned from French territorial waters. At the very least, Ceclant Premar Atlantique could ban it from the territorial waters between Bidasoa and Couesnon.
Then, if the Shtandart continues to enter prohibited waters and ports, the false opponent Vladimir Martus should be arrested and deported to the country of which he is a citizen. The ship should then be returned to Russia or the next sanctions-free port under the supervision of the first mate or a professional crew, at the expense of Mariia Martus (the ‘owner’) and Martus TV GmbH (the ‘charterer’). Vladimir Martus’ German residence permitshould also be revoked.
À l’attention de : Monsieur le Préfet d’Ille-et-Vilaine Monsieur le Préfet Maritime de l’Atlantique
Copies : Ambassade d’Ukraine en France Ambassade d’Ukraine en Grande Bretagne Associations ukrainiennes de France, de Grande-Bretagne, d’Irlande et d’Espagne Presse
Objet: Comment le navire russe « Shtandart » ignore-t-il l’interdiction préfectorale d’escale dans le port de Saint-Malo ?
Le 29 juin 2025
Monsieur le Préfet,
Amiral,
Les amis de l’Ukraine et les membres du collectif « No Shtandart in Europe » sont très reconnaissants à M. le préfet d’Ille-et-Vilaine et de la région Bretagne d’avoir formellement ainsi que publiquement rappelé, le 19 juin 2025, que les sanctions européennes s’appliquent bien au Shtandart et que le navire propagandiste russe a, de ce fait, interdiction d’accoster dans les ports du département d’Ille-et-Vilaine. Cette prise de position suscite le respect quand on connaît les réseaux d’influence œuvrant au profit de ce navire, au cœur de l’appareil d’Etat français. C’est ce que nous montrent les passe-droits qui continuent à lui être accordés notamment dans le Morbihan et en Charente-Maritime par les préfets Galy et Blondel.
Quoi qu’il en soit, le citoyen russe,Vladimir Martus, capitaine et propriétaire occulte du Shtandart, a décidé de ne pas tenir compte des instructions du préfet d’Ille-et-Vilaine.
Le maintien des escales de Saint-Malo n’a rien de surprenant. En effet, si Vladimir Martus a supprimé les îles anglo-normandes (UK)de son programme suite à la prise de position du gouvernement de Jersey, il maintient ses croisières à destination et au départ de Portugalete, ville proche de Bilbao (Espagne). Il s’est, pourtant, vu notifier formellement, en 2024, l’interdiction d’accoster dans tous les ports d’Espagne avant de se faire bannir des eaux territoriales de ce pays.
Comment le Shtandart peut-il « s’accommoder » de l’interdiction préfectorale ?
Peut-être que le Shtandart, faisant flotter en tête du grand mât le pavillon impérial russe, se limitera-t-il, on peut en douter, à mouiller à l’extérieur du port de Saint-Malo ? Dans cette hypothèse, il y a lieu de s’attendre à un concert de casseroles orchestré par Jean-Paul Hellequin, président de Mor Glaz, coqueluche des officines de propagande russes. Il convient de souligner que Ceclant Premar Atlantique, par l’intermédiaire du CROSS – Étel, a fait parvenir, le 16 août 2024, des consignes strictes de mouillage :
La demande de mouillage doit être notifiée 24 heures à l’avance au sémaphore le plus proche.
Les raisons de la demande de mouillage sont précisées.
Tout lien avec la terre est annoncé au sémaphore le plus proche.
Tout changement de personnel à bord est communiqué au sémaphore le plus proche.
Les deux mouillages sont séparés d’au moins 3 jours (la demande de mouillage doit comporter la date du dernier mouillage et sa position).
Au sujet de cette directive du Premar, le citoyen russe Martus a déclaré, sur Facebook le 18 août 2024 :« Sometimes it becomes even more ridiculous ». Il n’a d’ailleurs pas respecté ces conditions lors de la récente « Semaine du Golfe du Morbihan » (26 mai – 1er juin 2025). Pourquoi en irait-il différemment à Saint-Malo?
Il est possible que Vladimir Martus choisisse d’accoster dans un département voisin de celui d’Ille-et-Vilaine. S’il existe un arrêté préfectoral en date du 14 août 2024 pour le département de La Manche, ce n’est pas le cas pour celui des Côtes d’Armor…
Jean-Paul Hellequin l’ « idiot utile » de Vladimir Martus et une star de la propagande russe
Plus vraisemblablement, le Shtandart aura recours, comme nous en alertions le 14 juin 2025, au chantage « humanitaire », par le paragraphe 4 de l’article 3 sexies bis du Règlement (UE) nº 833/2014. Il forcera ainsi l’accès à Saint-Malo. Il pourra compter sur son dévoué « idiot utile », Jean-Paul Hellequin, qui mènera campagne en ce sens. Il y a 335 miles nautiques de La Rochelle à Saint-Malo, 150 miles nautiques de Saint-Malo à Falmouth, et près de 1 000 miles de Saint-Malo à Aberdeen.
Voilà de quoi susciter la compassion des foyers du littoral breton, même si les destinations annoncées sont fictives. L’article 3 sexies bis du Règlement (UE) nº 833/2014 s’applique en Irlande. Une interdiction portuaire existe en Grande-Bretagne. Le texte « Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2022 Regulation 6 » en témoigne :
Nous avons de bonnes raisons de penser que le Shtandart trouvera moins de soutiens dans sa fraude aux sanctions portuaires de la part des autorités britanniques et irlandaises que de la part de certaines autorités françaises.
Comment en finir, en France, avec l’affaire du navire propagandiste Shtandart?
Saint-Malo offre une occasion pour la France de mettre fin à la fraude du Shtandart, qui dure depuis plus de trois ans. À nouveau, nous proposons de prendre exemple sur l’Espagne. À la prochaine infraction, le navire russe devrait être interdit dans les eaux territoriales françaises. À tout le moins, Ceclant Premar Atlantique pourrait l’interdire dans les eaux territoriales allant de la Bidassoa au Couesnon.
Ensuite, si le Shtandart continue de pénétrer dans des eaux et des ports interdits, le faux opposant Vladimir Martus devrait être arrêté et expulsé vers le pays dont il est citoyen. Le navire devrait alors être renvoyé en Russie ou dans le prochain port exempt de sanctions sous la supervision du second capitaine ou d’un équipage professionnel, aux frais de Mariia Martus (la « propriétaire ») et de Martus TV GmbH (l’« affréteur »). Le permis de séjour allemand de Vladimir Martus devrait également être révoqué.
Nous vous prions, Monsieur le Préfet, Amiral, de bien vouloir agréer, l’expression de nos salutations distinguées.
Nous avons besoin de votre aide pour contacter les associations, les autorités et les médias belges afin de faire cesser la fraude du navire russe Shtandart en Belgique.
Au cours de l’été 2025, le navire propagandiste russe Shtandart proposera des croisières illégales vers diverses destinations, notamment la France, le Royaume-Uni, l’Irlande, la Norvège, le Danemark, la Belgique, l’Espagne et le Portugal. Il devrait accoster à Ostendele 1er septembre 2025, au cours de son voyage de Stavanger, en Norvège, à Saint-Malo, en France. Il pourrait également faire escale dans d’autres ports belges : https://shtandart.eu/fr/services/sail-with-us/.
Shtandart : croisière été 2025
Ce projet viole l’article 3 sexies bis du Règlement (UE) n° 833/2014 du Conseil, introduit dans le cadre de la cinquième série de sanctions prise après le massacre de Boutcha.
1. Il est interdit de donner accès, après le 16 avril 2022, aux ports et, après le 29 juillet 2022, aux écluses situés sur le territoire de l’Union à TOUT navire immatriculé sous pavillon russe, et à ces navires d’accéder aux ports et aux écluses, à l’exception d’un accès aux écluses en vue de quitter le territoire de l’Union.
Le 24 juin 2024, les 27 États membres du Conseil européen ont précisé que le Shtandart est bien inclus dans le champ d’application des sanctions portuaires de l’Union européenne.
le paragraphe 3, point a), est remplacé par le texte suivant: «a) un navire relevant du champ d’application des conventions internationales pertinentes, y compris les répliques de navires historiques;»
Ces dispositions ont été confirmées par une lettre de la Commission européenne au collectif « No Shtandart in Europe ».
Le capitaine et propriétaire occulte Vladimir Martus n’a que mépris pour les règlements, les décisions de justice, les autorités et les institutions des pays qu’il visite. Il croit pouvoir débarquer à l’improviste dans les destinations qu’il choisit, en violant les sanctions résultant de l’invasion de l’Ukraine par la Russie. Il agit ainsi parce qu’il se présente faussement comme un opposant au régime russe et qu’il est persuadé de pouvoir recourir au chantage « humanitaire ».
Nous vous serions reconnaissants d’alerter le ministère belge des affaires étrangères (MAE) et vos autorités maritimes sur cette affaire. Il serait également utile d’informer les médias.
Vous trouverez les informations nécessaires dans le document que nous avons préparé pour nos amis des différents pays ciblés par le contrevenant russe. Néanmoins, n’hésitez pas à nous poser toutes les questions qui vous viennent à l’esprit.
We need your help to contact Belgian associations, authorities and media to put a stop to the fraud involving the Russian ship Shtandart in Belgium.
In the summer of 2025, the Russian propaganda ship Shtandart will offer illegal cruises to various destinations, including France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Spain, and Portugal. It is expected to dock inOstend on September 1, 2025, during its voyage from Stavanger, Norway, to Saint-Malo, France. It may also call at other Belgian ports: https://shtandart.eu/services/sail-with-us/
This project violates Article 3ea of Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014, introduced in response to the fifth round of sanctions 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…
On June 24, 2024, the 27 Member States of the European Council clarified that the Shtandart is included 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’.
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 he can disembark unannounced at his chosen destinations, violating the sanctions resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He is doing this because he is falsely presenting himself as an opponent of the Russian regime, and he is confident that he can resort to « humanitarian » blackmail.
It would be greatly appreciated if you could alert the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and your maritime authorities about this case. Informing the media could also be useful.
You should find all the necessary information in the document we prepared for our friends of abroad. Nevertheless, please do not hesitate to ask us any questions you may have.
In 2024, the captain and hidden owner of the Shtandart, Vladimir Martus, received official notification that his vessel was forbidden to enter all Spanish ports. A few days later, it was expelled and banned from Spanish territorial waters for its infractions, by order of the Director General of the Merchant Marine. However, it will soon be offering illegal cruises to and from Portugalete.
Then, for the Spanish authorities, the only remaining option will be to arrest the skipper of the Russian ship, Vladimir Martus, and deport him to his country of origin. The Shtandart would then have to be transported, without Martus, to a sanction-free territory or to Russia.
In the summer of 2025, the Russian propaganda ship Shtandart takes its clients on a tour of European ports.
Vladimir Martus, has no respect for the regulations, court rulings, authorities and institutions of the countries he visits. He believes he can disembark unannounced in the destinations he has chosen, violating the fifth round of sanctions stemming from the Bucha massacre, because he poses as a false “opponent” of the Russian regime and because he is confident that he can resort to “humanitarian” blackmail.
How is it possible? In true russian fashion, Vladimir Martus, the crook, disregards legal provisions. When it comes to destinations forbidden to him, he makes cold calculations, confident in the power of his ‘humanitarian’ blackmail — particularly if he has underage customers on board. We believe that the Shtandart will manipulate public opinion and the media through this bullying by implementing a method first used in Vigo in July 2022. The Shtandart will exploit paragraph 4 of Article 3(ea) of Regulation (EU) No 833/2014, which states that access to ports should be granted for safety or emergency reasons.
4. Paragraphs 1 and 1a ( Port ban) 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.
The Shtandart will use this mechanism to force access to the desired port. As shown below, Vladimir Martus will play his favourite sulphurous game by arguing that his crew does not have enough food or water to undertake the long journey to its next – forbidden – port of call.
‘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 (Jean-Paul) 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 rogue ship, who intentionally stages such ’emergency’ situations, has never been prosecuted for deliberately endangering the lives of others. Nor has he ever been prohibited from carrying non-adult passengers, including nationals of the country he is visiting. He uses them as hostages in his deceptions. These are avenues that should be explored in order to punish him for his perverse methods.
If the Shtandart continues to enter prohibited waters and ports, we consider that Vladimir Martus should be arrested and deported to his homeland. 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 Maria Martus (the ‘owner’) and Martus TV GmbH (the ‘charterer’). Vladimir Martus’s German residency permit should also be revoked.
En 2024, el capitán y armador encubierto del Shtandart, Vladimir Martus, recibió la notificación oficial de que su buque tenía prohibida la entrada en todos los puertos españoles. Pocos días después, fue expulsado y vetado de las aguas territoriales españolas por sus infracciones, por orden del Director General de la Marina Mercante. Sin embargo, pronto ofrecerá cruceros ilegales desde y hacia Portugalete.
Entonces, para las autoridades españolas, la única opción restante será detener al patrón del barco ruso, Vladimir Martus, y deportarlo a su país de origen. El Shtandart tendría entonces que ser transportado, sin Martus, a un territorio libre de sanciones o a Rusia.
En el verano de 2025, el buque propagandístico ruso Shtandart lleva a sus clientes a recorrer los puertos europeos.
Vladimir Martus, no tiene ningún respeto por las normativas, resoluciones judiciales, autoridades e instituciones de los países que visita. Cree que puede desembarcar sin previo aviso en los destinos que ha elegido, violando la quinta ronda de sanciones derivadas de la masacre de Bucha, porque se hace pasar por «opositor» al régimen ruso y porque confía en poder recurrir al chantaje «humanitario».
¿Cómo es posible? Al más puro estilo ruso, Vladimir Martus, el estafador, hace caso omiso de la legislación. Cuando se trata de destinos prohibidos para él, hace fríos cálculos, confiado en el poder de su chantaje «humanitario», sobre todo si lleva a bordo menores de edad. Creemos que el Shtandart manipulará a la opinión pública y a los medios de comunicación mediante este acoso, aplicando un método que se utilizó por primera vez en Vigo en julio de 2022. El Shtandart explotará el apartado 4 del artículo 3 sexies bis del Reglamento (UE) n.º 833/2014, que establece que el acceso a los puertos debe concederse por razones de seguridad o emergencia.
4. Los apartados 1 y 1 bis (prohibición) no se aplicarán a los buques que necesiten asistencia en busca de un lugar de refugio, de una escala portuaria de emergencia por razones de seguridad marítima, o para salvar vidas en el mar.
El Shtandart utilizará este mecanismo para forzar el acceso al puerto deseado. Como se muestra a continuación, Vladimir Martus argumentará que su tripulación no tiene suficiente comida ni agua para emprender el largo viaje hasta su próximo puerto de escala prohibido jugando a su juego sucio favorito.
‘La situación en el barco se deteriorará rápidamente. Ya tienen escasez de agua. Ninguna autoridad estatal tiene derecho a prohibir que un buque entre en un puerto para abastecerse », afirmó (Jean-Paul) Hellequin, que anteriormente representaba al sindicato de marinos de Brest.
Las averías mecánicas, escasez de suministros y sanciones internacionales ponen en peligro la vida de sus once tripulantes… Esta mañana el capitán del Shtandart, Vladimir Martus, emitía un SOS desesperado ha puesto en alerta a las autoridades marítimas. El generador del barco ha fallado, dejando a la embarcación en una situación de indefensión y con suministros limitados. El agua potable escasea, los alimentos son insuficientes y la inminente travesía de 750 millas náuticas hacia su próximo destino se antoja una misión suicida…
Sorprendentemente, el capitán del buque, que escenifica intencionadamente tales situaciones de «emergencia», nunca ha sido procesado por poner deliberadamente en peligro la vida de otras personas. Tampoco se le ha prohibido transportar pasajeros no adultos, incluidos nacionales del país que visita. Los utiliza como rehenes en sus engaños. Estas son vías que deberían explorarse para castigarle por sus perversos métodos.
Si el Shtandart sigue entrando en aguas y puertos prohibidos, consideramos que Vladimir Martus debería ser detenido y deportado a su país. A continuación, el barco debería ser enviado a Rusia o al siguiente puerto libre de sanciones bajo la supervisión del segundo capitán o de una tripulación profesional, a cargo de Maria Martus (la «propietaria») y Martus TV GmbH (el «fletador»). También debería revocarse el permiso de residencia alemán de Vladimir Martus.
Más información sobre el fraude de verano de 2025:
As Shtandart’s plans are always changing, the map on the cover image might be obsolete. Check for the latest information available on the Shtandart website: https://shtandart.eu/services/sail-with-us/
For the summer of 2025, the Russian propaganda ship Shtandart is selling illegal cruises to various destinations in France, the UK, Ireland, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Spain and Portugal. The 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, because he is falsely presenting himself as an opponent of the Russian regime and because he is confident that he can resort to humanitarian blackmail.
This fraud has become systematic over the last three years and can only be prevented by banning the ship from the relevant countries’ territorial waters. If this ultimate measure is violated, as is to be expected, the only option left will be to arrest the outlaw and deport him to his homeland. The Shtandart would then have to be conveyed, at the expense of the shipowner and charterer, to a territory free of sanctions or to Russia.
1. What is the plan for the Russian propaganda ship « Shtandart » in summer 2025?
La Rochelle (France): 25/06/2025
Saint-Malo (France): 02/07/2025 – 02/07/2025
Falmouth (UK)
Dublin (Ireland)
Isle of Man (UK)
Aberdeen (UK): 20/07/2025 – 21/07/2025
Kristiansand (Norway): 31/07/2025 – 01/08/2025
Esbjerg (Denmark): 08/08/2025 – 09/08/2025
Sandefjord (Norway): 15/08/2025 – 17/08/2025
Stavanger (Norway): 23/08/2025 – 25/08/2025
Ostende (Belgium): 01/09/2025 – 01/09/2025
Saint-Malo (France): 05/09/2025 – 05/09/2025
La Rochelle (France): 11/09/2025 – 20/09/2025
Portugalete (Spain): 26/09/2025 – 28/09/2025
Cascais (Portugal): 05/10/2025 – 05/10/2025
Tangier (Morocco): 10/10/2025
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.
The Shtandart says it will join the ‘Tall Ships Races ‘ from Aberdeen (UK) to Kristiansand (NO) and from Kristiansand (NO) to Esbjerg (DK).
With the interactive map presented below, it is possible to scroll, zoom, and click on routes or ports to access more details.
As Shtandart‘s plans are constantly changing, make sure you have the latest information by checking its website: Sail with Shtandart.
This video was created by the Shtandart 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.
2. What does EU, UK and Norway legislation say about port sanctions for Russian ships?
2.1. Legal framework regarding Shtandart‘s ports of call in France, Ireland, Denmark, Belgium Spain & Portugal
The Russian vessel Shtandart plans to enter the port of Saint-Malo on 2 July 2025. Such a project would violate the prefectoral order of 23 August 2024 and Article 3ea of Council Regulation (EU) No 833/20141, taken in application of the 5h round of restrictive mesures2 sanctioning Bucha massacre3.
It shall be prohibited to provide access, after 16 April 2022, to ports and, after 29 July 2022, to locks in the territory of the Union to ANY vessel registered under the flag of Russia, and for such vessels to access ports and locks, with the exception of access to locks for the purpose of leaving the territory of the Union…
It should be underlined that the 27 Member States of the European Council, on 24 June 2024, via Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/17444, clarified that Shtandart is included 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;’
These provisions were confirmed by a letter of EU Commission5 to the collective « No Shtandart in Europe », by the Rennes (FR) Administrative Court6, on 11 July 2024, and by France’s Council of State78, on 18 November 2024.
Dublin, Esbjerg, Ostende, Portugalete and Cascais authorities have to be alerted by local activists about the planned violation of EU regulation in their harbour.
2.2. Legal framework regarding Shtandart‘s ports of call in Great Britain
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 UK authorities must be made aware of any potential stopovers by the Shtandart in Falmouth, the Isle of Man, the Caledonian Canal, Loch Ness, the Hebrides, the Pentland Firth, the Orkney Islands, Cape Wrath and Aberdeen.
2.3. Legal framework regarding Shtandart‘s ports of call in Norway
Norway announced on Friday (29/04/2022) that it would implement the fifth set of sanctions agreed to by the 27-member bloc three weeks ago on April 7. The ban on Russian-flagged vessels docking in Norwegian ports will take effect on May 7 (2022) and will not affect fishing vessels…
It is forbidden to grant access to ports for Russian vessels on mainland Norway, and for Russian vessels to call at these ports (Section 19a of the Sanctions Regulations). The prohibition includes vessels registered under the Russian flag, vessels that have changed from the Russian flag to another flag, after February 2022, and vessels certified by the Russian Ship Register…
The Russian Shtandart has planned stopovers in Kristiansand (31 July–1 August 2025), Sandefjord (15–17 August 2025) and Stavanger (23–25 August 2025). The Norwegian authorities must be made aware of this plan.
3. Why does Shtandart fall within the scope of EU, UK and Norway sanctions?
3.1. 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”9, of which Vladimir Martus owns over 60%. Martus is a Russian citizen10. 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: Maria Martus11, Vladimir Martus’s daughter. She studied in Helsinki and obtained Finnish citizenship.
Martus has registered the trademark ‘Shtandart’1213. He intends to use it as he sees fit. He is now threatening legal action14 against anyone who mentions the name ‘Shtandart’, even for informational or reference purposes, if his false narrative is contradicted. He wants to censor any facts that might be made public which do not correspond to the fiction he is promoting about the Shtandart and himself, with the aim of deceiving people.
As evidenced by its website15, the Shtandart‘s commercial services are invoiced and collected by the company ‘Martus TV GmbH’, which is controlled and managed by Vladimir Martus16. This limited liability company is domiciled in Hamburg under German law and is often misrepresented as an association in order to appeal to the public’s generosity. For example, the Shtandart claimed that it was short on cash for its winter 2024/2025 dry docking and maintenance17. It requested public financial support via ‘Martus TV GmbH’.
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.
3.2. 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 Islands18. 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). ‘Wherever the Russian flag has been raised, it must never come down again’, said Tsar Nicholas I.
As of 23 June 2025, the Shtandart‘s “profile photo” is systematically under a Russian flag on its website, on social networks, on Vessel Finder, on Marine Traffic etc. The Russian War Flame and the Imperial Russian Flag are sometimes added.
Since June 2024, i.e. after Cook Islands registration, hundreds of articles in the Russian press have referred to the Shtandart as the ‘Russian ship’ or the ‘Russian frigate’.
3.3. Shtandart, Vladimir Martus, and their mission for 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.
4. Illegal sales: how does Shtandart « respect » law, judicial decisions, institutions and authorities of countries visited?
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. Ukrinform, 20/06/2025 – Russian ship Shtandart banned from several French ports.
However, as of 23 June 2025, the Shtandartcontinues to sell cruises departing from or arriving in Saint-Malo.
Nevertheless, it continues to sell cruises to (September 26, 2025)19 and from Portugalete (September 28, 2025)20 on its website.
5. What is Shtandart’s method of bypassing Russian sanctions?
5.1. Unannounced dockings
« No Shtandart for Europe » is 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 Havre on May 4, 202521.
Due to this now-classic modus operandi, as presented above, the Spanish maritime authorities expressly notified the Shtandart in July 2024 that the ban applied to all Spanish ports. A few days later, they prohibited the Russian vessel from entering their territorial waters.
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)
Vladimir Martus disregards legal provisions. When it comes to destinations that are forbidden to him, he makes cold calculations, confident in the power of his ‘humanitarian’ blackmail — particularly if he has underage customers on board.
« No Shtandart for Europe » believe that, by implementing a method first used in Vigo in July 2022, the Shtandart will manipulate public opinion and the media through this « humanitarian » blackmail.It will abuse paragraph 4 of 3ea of Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 and paragraphs 1.a) and 2.b) of UK Regulation 61A, stating that access to ports should be granted for safety or emergency reasons. 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.
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.
The maritime authorities are often criticised in both the national and Russian press for the consequences of this fait accompli practice. They are insulted and criticised, and sometimes taken to court, in an attempt 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 (Jean-Paul) Hellequin, who previously represented the Brest seafarers’ union.
« France has too little power now. Today, the EU decides everything instead of us. This has worsened since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine. This situation has once again shown the weakness of France. We condemn the decree of the Prefect of Finistère, who should not have gone along with Brussels, » the agency’s interlocutor (Jean-Paul Hellequin) said. The sailors have been prevented from participating in an international sailing festival in Brest and are prevented from entering the port even for supplies. « I find this extremely unfair and even disgusting towards the sailors ».
« The crew of the Russian frigate “Standart” will appeal the decision on European sanctions against the ship in the European Court of Human Rights« , the ship’s captain Vladimir Martus told RIA Novosti. « We have a lawsuit against the decision of the prefect (of the French department of Finistère – ed.). And we are also filing in the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg against this decision of the European Union, » he said.
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?
Surprisingly, the skipper of the rogue ship, who intentionally stages such ’emergency’ situations, has never been prosecuted for deliberately endangering others’ lives. Nor has he ever been prohibited from carrying passengers who are not adults, including nationals of the country he is visiting. He uses them as hostages in his deceptions. These are avenues that should be explored in order to punish the perversity of his methods.
6. How can this thuggish behaviour be stopped?
‘No Shtandart for Europe’ is contacting activists in Great Britain, Ireland, Norway, Denmark and Belgium to enforce the British, Norwegian and European bans. In Ukraine22, the authorities, civil society and the military are watching with increasing disgust as the Russian propaganda ship23 attempts to circumvent sanctions imposed in response to the Bucha massacre. Readers are therefore invited to consider the position of the City Council of the martyred city24.
In France, ‘No Shtandart for Europe’ is available to the authorities and territorial intelligence services for further information and meetings regarding this emblematic case of Russian influence networks operating within the state apparatuss25. This undermines France’s international standing, calls into question its authority and attacks the European institutions.
To stop these repeated infringements and abuses of the law, the ‘No Shtandart for Europe’ campaign suggests that the authorities in various countries follow Spain’s example. The Shtandart should be banned from their territorial waters26. Prior to its final expulsion, the Russian vessel could be permitted to replenish its supplies of water, food and fuel to enable it to reach a country without port sanctions. If the Shtandart does not wish to return to Russia, it can set sail for Tangier, a port it has visited twice since 2024 and is scheduled to visit again on 10 October 202527.
However, if the Shtandart continues to enter prohibited waters and ports, Vladimir Martus should be arrested and deported 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 Maria Martus (the “owner”) and Martus TV GmbH (the “charterer”). Vladimir Martus’s German residency permit28 should also be revoked.
Any organisations wishing to join the more than sixty entities from Ukraine, Spain and France that are already members of the ‘No Shtandart in Europe’ collective are more than welcome to do so. All the president of the organisation needs to do is send an email of agreement to noshtandartineurope@gmail.com, including the URL of their organisation’s website and/or Facebook page.
Lettre en français
Letter in English
Carta en español
Legal framework regarding Shtandart‘s ports of call in France, Ireland, Denmark, Belgium Spain & Portugal
Legal framework regarding Shtandart‘s ports of call in Norway
The "Shtandart" In Europe 