Russia Plans Naval Convoys for Merchant Ships, Putin Aide Says

Russia plans to provide naval convoys to protect merchant ships as it seeks to bolster the defense of the nation’s vessels and so-called shadow fleet.

The country also intends to deploy protective equipment on board ships and is considering teams of armed escorts for vessels sailing under the Russian flag, Nikolai Patrushev, a top aide to President Vladimir Putin, told the Kommersant newspaper in an interview published Wednesday.