Zelenskyy’s New Mission: Securing the Seas from Russian ‘Spy Ships’

Kyiv – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has embarked on a new mission: securing the seas from what he alleges are Russian “spy ships” operating under the guise of commercial oil tankers. This move aims to rally global support for maritime security.
The mission was prompted by Zelenskyy’s accusation that Russia is using its tanker fleet not just to fund its invasion but also for “reconnaissance and even sabotage activities.” This claim transforms a commercial issue into a pressing international security threat.
“It is entirely possible to stop this,” Zelenskyy declared, signaling the start of a diplomatic and intelligence campaign to work with allies to monitor, intercept, or otherwise neutralize these alleged operations.
This new maritime focus comes as the land war continues to be a brutal struggle. In Moscow, President Vladimir Putin claimed a major success, announcing the capture of nearly 5,000 square kilometers of territory this year and asserting that Russia holds the “complete strategic initiative.”
The global picture is further complicated by Putin’s threat to the U.S. over Tomahawk missiles, warning of a “new stage of escalation” that would destroy their relationship, making international cooperation on any issue, including maritime security, increasingly difficult.