Ukraine Fights Back on a New Front: Countering Alleged Maritime Espionage

Kyiv – Ukraine is opening a new front in its defense against Russia, this time focused on countering a campaign of alleged maritime espionage. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced a collaborative effort with allies to stop Russia from using oil tankers for military operations.
The move comes after Zelenskyy accused Russia of using its vast tanker fleet not just to fund the war, but also for “reconnaissance and even sabotage activities.” This represents a serious threat that extends the conflict far beyond Ukraine’s land borders.
“It is entirely possible to stop this,” Zelenskyy affirmed, signaling a proactive and confident approach to this new challenge. This effort will likely involve enhanced surveillance, intelligence sharing, and potential sanctions against involved entities.
This new defensive front is being established as the land war continues with intensity. In Moscow, President Vladimir Putin claimed his forces had captured nearly 5,000 square kilometers of territory in 2025, giving his military the “complete strategic initiative.”
The geopolitical situation remains tense, with Putin warning the U.S. that supplying Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv would be a major escalation. He threatened that such a move would require U.S. personnel and would result in the complete collapse of their diplomatic ties.