The Foreign Ministry promised a response in the event of an Estonian attack on Russian vessels in the Baltic Sea.

In case of illegal actions against Russian ships in the Baltic Sea, Estonia will take retaliatory measures. This was announced on April 17 by the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova.

"Russia strongly condemns these <...> piratical practices. <..."If actions are directed against Russian vessels, our country will respond in proportion to the risks and threats posed by Estonia as a NATO member state," she said at a briefing.

According to the diplomat, the powers granted to the Estonian Navy go beyond international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. In addition, such actions pose serious risks to navigation in the Baltic Sea and undermine security in the region.

Zakharova called on all countries that adhere to the principles of international law to give an objective assessment of Tallinn's decision.

Pirates of the Baltic Sea: Estonia is going to sink merchant ships

Such a law will be considered in the first reading by the country's parliament.

On April 14, Estonian President Alar Karis approved amendments to the law allowing the military to use force against ships that could damage cables or other underwater infrastructure. Amendments are being made to the law on the organization of the Armed Forces of Estonia, as well as to the legislation on the economic zone of the Republic.

On April 11, Nikolai Patrushev, Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation and Chairman of the Maritime Board, named Estonia as the main initiator of statements suggesting the sinking of suspicious merchant vessels in the Baltic Sea. At the same time, according to him, not all Western countries support Tallinn's plans.