French authorities recently allowed the Russian sailing frigate Shtandart to dock in a French port despite sanctions imposed due to Moscow’s war against Ukraine. The 34-meter-long three-masted ship, an exact replica of a frigate belonging to Tsar Peter the Great, made a stop in La Rochelle on the southwest coast for refueling and supplies. The vessel had previously been barred from entering some ports and events, but the prefecture of the Charente-Maritime region permitted the stop in La Rochelle. The captain, Vladimir Martus, expressed gratitude for the stopover in a video on Instagram.
The Shtandart, once a beloved participant in European maritime festivals and used for cruises and training, has faced scrutiny over its connections to the Russian government. Critics accused Martus of ties to President Vladimir Putin, prompting the vessel to change its flag and registration to the Pacific Cook Islands. Despite controversy, the sailing frigate continues its journey, having taken thousands of passengers aboard and participated in numerous maritime festivals over the past 25 years.
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