On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to cut off Ukraine’s access to the sea in response to drone attacks on tankers. of Russia’s shadow fleet in the Black Sea. It was reported by the Reuters agency, writes TASR. “The most radical solution is to cut off Ukraine from the sea, then piracy will basically be impossible,” Putin said. According to him, Russia will intensify attacks on Ukrainian objects and vessels and take measures against tankers of countries that help Ukraine.
On Saturday, a Ukrainian security official said that Ukrainian naval drones had struck two tankers in the Black Sea, which are on the list of sanctioned vessels, and which were heading to a Russian port to pick up oil destined for foreign markets. On Tuesday, a Russian-flagged tanker carrying sunflower oil reported a drone attack off the coast of Turkey, saying none of its 13 crew members were injured. Ukraine has denied having anything to do with the incident.
Ukraine also carried out missile and drone attacks on the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, which disrupted oil supplies. Putin did not elaborate on his threat to block Ukraine’s access to the sea. In the war that began in February 2022, Russia conquered parts of southern and eastern Ukraine, but does not control important ports, including Odessa.
