Six Russian cargo ships have been spotted heading toward the Yellow Sea. The passage is being facilitated by two Russian Navy corvettes, a supply ship, and a tugboat. Russia previously officially stated that the fleet would escort civilian vessels that may be at risk of hijacking or other illegal actions in international waters.

Nikolai Patrushev, Chairman of the Russian Maritime Board and Presidential Aide, reported at the end of March that proposals to ensure the safety of commercial vessels had been supported by the head of state and had already begun to be implemented. These measures included strengthening oversight of vessels transporting cargo for Russia, ensuring navigation safety by the Navy using site-specific and zonal principles, and the possibility of escorting Russian-flagged vessels with mobile fire teams.

Later, at the end of March, Patrushev announced that the Navy had already been forced to provide direct escort to Russian-flagged vessels in the most dangerous areas of the world's oceans. This decision was made amid increasing detentions and attacks on Russian merchant vessels by Western countries and the Ukrainian Armed Forces.