Controversial replica of Peter the Great flagship anchors off Dublin coast

The Shtandart is an exact copy of the ship built by the Russian Tsar in 1703.

It was built in 1999 and describes itself as “an active sail training ship”, under the flag of the Cook Islands.

The ship’s captain, Vladimir Martus, told RTÉ News that it was sailing from St Malo in France to Aberdeen in Scotland, with 22 people from 12 nations on board.

“The Shtandart is simply a replica vessel. We are not a Russian vessel. Shtandart is, and always has been, dedicated to education, heritage, and human connection. We are a homeless child in European waters, and we are fighting for survival,” he added.

Read the full article by Philip Bromwell on RTE