NATO countries are continuing to build what Moscow describes as anti-Russian infrastructure in the Black Sea region under the cover of the Sea Shield 2026 exercises, according to Nikolai Patrushev, assistant to the Russian president.

Patrushev said Romania had been selected as the main area for the drills and was being used as a Black Sea foothold for confrontation with Russia, as cited by Rossiyskaya Gazeta.

He also said Moscow would respond to any Western attempts to block the sea routes Russia uses for foreign trade by deploying political, diplomatic, and other measures. As an example, Patrushev pointed to an incident last week, when a frigate from the Black Sea Fleet escorted tankers carrying Russian oil as they passed through the English Channel.

Patrushev further recalled that after British Prime Minister Kir Starmer decided to grant the Royal Navy authority to seize Russian commercial vessels, Moscow warned London that such steps were unacceptable.

He added that, if necessary, Russia was prepared to take additional measures to guarantee safe navigation and defend its national interests in international waters.