The Russian ambassador has warned Ireland it will face serious consequences if the Naval Service boards a Russian vessel suspected of violating international sanctions. 

In recent years, the number of Russian vessels transiting through international waters close to the Irish coast has increased. 

Some are suspected of being spy vessels, while others are thought to be part of Moscow’s shadow fleet, operating in defiance of European sanctions on Russian goods. 

On The Claire Byrne Show, Russian Ambassador Yury Anatoliyevich Filatov was asked if it was still Russia’s position that Irish authorities who boarded such vessels would face serious consequences. 

“That's a certain fact,” he said. 

“That you might be assured that we would view such an attempt as an act of international piracy. 

“Because nothing in the international law provides for such a possibility for the Irish forces to do essentially illegal action.” 

On Wednesday, the Ambassador was summoned for a meeting with Foreign Minister Helen McEntee for a formal meeting, after German authorities concluded Moscow had sent a drone carrying explosives to Leipzig/Halle Airport. 

The explosives were discovered close to Ukrainian cargo planes but had failed to explode. 

Mr Filatov described the meeting as “normal diplomatic practice” and that it had been conducted without “theatrics”. 

He added that Russia “rejects” any connection to the incident. 

“I might add to that, that the Germans specifically, investigations have somewhat very low credibility, not only with us, but generally speaking in Europe,” he insisted. 

He also ruled out taking part in an international investigation on the grounds that they do not have “any whatsoever connection to this incident”. 

Despite his frequent clashes with the Government since arriving in Ireland, Mr Filatov said he still believes that “Ireland is a friend of ours”. 

“We've had quite a good story of relationship with the Irish people,” he explained. 

“I make distinction between Irish people and the Irish Government. 

“Certainly, the Irish Government cannot be treated as a friendly one - that's a clear case.

“We have many friends in Ireland and I'm sure that there is plenty of goodwill on both sides, but the problem is with the decidedly anti-Russian politics of the government - that's the problem.”

Main image: The Russian Ambassador to Ireland Yury Filatov. Picture by: Alamy.com.