Quoted by state propaganda media, the dictator accused Ukraine of “piracy.”
“If the attacks on the tankers continue, we will consider taking retaliatory measures against ships from countries assisting Ukraine,” Putin said.
“I hope Kyiv and those behind it will think twice before continuing attacks on vessels in the Black Sea.”
Putin also warned that Russia could “cut Ukraine off from the sea.” It is unclear how the Kremlin would follow thought on this particular threat, given that Ukrainian naval drones have forced Moscow to relocate its Black Sea Fleet from occupied Crimea to Novorossiysk in southern Russia.
Sources in Ukraine’s SBU security service previously told NV that the SBU’s Sea Baby drones, in a joint operation with the Ukrainian Navy, struck two sanctioned “shadow fleet” oil tankers, KAIRO and VIRAT. According to the sources, both vessels were empty and en route to load cargo at the port of Novorossiysk when they sustained critical damage and were effectively put out of service.
On Dec. 1, Bloomberg reported that the Russia-linked tanker Mersin was attacked off the coast of Africa. It was at least the third such incident in three days involving ships carrying Russian oil.
On Dec. 2, Turkey’s Directorate General of Maritime Affairs state that the Russian tanker Midvolga 2 was attacked about 80 miles off Turkey’s coast.