PANAMA · SHIPPING

Panama says Russia’s ambassador warned that ships carrying weapons in the Black Sea can be targets. Panama is also asking Moscow about citizens at war.

Panama’s foreign ministry says Russia’s ambassador warned that ships carrying weapons in the Black Sea can become military targets, whatever their flag. The ministry says he told the foreign minister so on Friday, 23 October.

It matters to US readers because Panama’s registry lists thousands of ships, and Washington is already pressing it over sanctioned vessels. More is in the Rio Times Panama hub.

What Russia’s Ambassador Said

Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha asked Ambassador Konstantin Gavrilov about Panama-flagged ships that cross the Black Sea under navigation restrictions. Gavrilov replied that Russia attacks only ships that carry weapons, the foreign ministry said.

“Vessels that carry armament can become military targets regardless of their flag,” Gavrilov said, according to the ministry’s statement. Telemetro, TVN and Metro Libre carried the same quotation on Friday.

The ministry lists the risks there: drone and missile strikes, sea mines, port limits and possible loss of navigation and communication systems. Panama’s maritime authority advises ships to avoid Russian and Ukrainian waters of the Black Sea and Sea of Azov where possible.

The statement does not say whether Gavrilov promised any change in Russian practice. La Prensa noted on Sunday, 25 October that the communiqué gives no concrete Russian answer.

A bulk carrier tied up at a port, photographed in 2015. The photo does not show the Black Sea or any ship named in the story. Photo: Bernard Spragg / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

Panamanians in the War

The second subject of the meeting was the return of Panamanians linked to the war between Russia and Ukraine. Martínez-Acha said Panama is doing everything possible, including for families who hope to recover the bodies of the dead.

A government report dated Tuesday, 15 September, seen by La Prensa, counted 70 Panamanians active in the conflict. Of these, 62 are linked to the Russian side and eight to the Ukrainian side.

The same report lists six Panamanians dead and 15 missing. It also records 11 people brought home from Russia and seven from Ukraine.

On Wednesday, 23 September Martínez-Acha asked the UN Security Council to help both countries return citizens who want to leave. He thanked Ukraine for letting several come home and said he hoped Russia would do the same, La Prensa reported.

Panama’s ministry said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told him in New York that Russia would review requests case by case. Infobae reported this on 25 September, after the Russian embassy had called La Prensa’s investigation “Western propaganda”.

Panama’s prosecutors are treating the recruitment as possible human trafficking, with people lured by false job offers, La Prensa reported. In the week of 21 September, three people were arrested in an operation called Rescate Soberano, Infobae reported.

Why the Panama Flag Is Exposed

Panama’s registry holds 7,627 ships, according to maritime authority data cited by Panamá América on 22 October. A flag state does not own the ships; it licenses vessels whose owners and crews come from many countries.

That is why a war in one sea can reach a Central American country with no troops in it. Earlier Black Sea attacks on Panama-flagged cargo ships are covered in an earlier Rio Times explainer.

Washington is squeezing the same registry from another side. On Wednesday, 21 October the US Treasury sanctioned a Panama law firm accused of setting up shell companies for Iranian shipping.

Panamá América reported on Thursday, 22 October that the authority has begun cancelling 10 US-sanctioned ships, cutting the fleet to 7,617. The Rio Times has covered the law firm sanctions and Panama’s move to drop seven ships.

What It Means for US Readers

Shippers, insurers and charterers that use Panama-flagged ships carry the Black Sea risk, because the Russian position applies to any flag. A ship carrying weapons is a stated target; the statement does not define what counts as armament.

Panama also runs a canal whose main customers are the United States, China and Japan, En Segundos reported on 15 October. The canal reported US$6.6 billion in revenue for fiscal 2026, covered in the Rio Times canal revenue report.

The meeting shows Panama dealing with Moscow and Washington at once. It talks to Moscow about its citizens and ships while it removes vessels that Washington has sanctioned.

What Is Not Known

It is not known how many Panama-flagged ships sail in the Black Sea, or whether any carries weapons. This account comes from Panama’s ministry, and no Russian version was found in the sources reviewed.

Russia has not said whether it will let any Panamanian leave the war. The 70 figure comes from a report La Prensa saw, and the sanctioned law firm’s reply was not found.

What Comes Next

Martínez-Acha said he will ask Russia’s defence ministry to review the options available for Panamanians linked to the war. Gavrilov confirmed an invitation for him to make an official visit to Russia next year.

No date is set for the visit or for any Russian reply. The warning does not by itself mean that any Panama-flagged ship has been attacked.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Russia tell Panama about ships?

Panama’s ministry says Russia’s ambassador said ships carrying weapons can become military targets, whatever their flag. He spoke to the foreign minister on Friday, 23 October.

Why does a Panama warning matter to the United States?

Panama’s registry lists 7,627 ships, so risks to its flag reach owners and insurers worldwide. Washington is also pressing Panama over ships it has sanctioned.

How many Panamanians are in the Russia-Ukraine war?

A 15 September government report seen by La Prensa counted 70 active, 62 on the Russian side. It also lists six dead and 15 missing.

Has Russia agreed to send Panamanians home?

Not publicly. Panama says Lavrov promised in September to examine requests case by case, and the new communiqué gave no concrete answer.

What does Panama advise ships to do?

Its maritime authority advises ships to avoid Russian and Ukrainian waters of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. It adds a caveat: where possible.

Sources: Panama Foreign Ministry, 23 October; Telemetro, 23 October; TVN, 23 October; Metro Libre, 23 October; La Prensa, 25 October; La Prensa, 24 September; Infobae Panama, 25 September; US Treasury OFAC, 21 October; Panamá América, 22 October; En Segundos, 15 October (all accessed 26 October 2026).