Ukraine's Bold Moves Against Russia's Secret Oil Ships
Ukraine is taking the fight to Russia's secret oil fleet, striking ships in foreign waters. This is a significant move as Russia has been using these ships to dodge international sanctions and continue selling oil, which funds its war in Ukraine.
Ukraine's Strategic Moves
Ukraine has been hitting these ships since President Zelenskyy asked allies to do more to stop them. The latest attacks happened outside Russia's waters, showing Ukraine is getting creative in its strategy.
Sanctions and Accusations
The U.S. and Europe have already sanctioned hundreds of these ships. They're accused of:
- Breaking oil sale bans
- Transporting stolen Ukrainian grain
- Messing with underwater cables and pipelines
Zelenskyy's Call for Action
In October, Zelenskyy said Ukraine was sharing intel with Europe, hoping for stronger action. Now, Ukraine's intelligence agency says it's actively working to cut off Russia's war funding.
Recent Incidents
The Kairos Tanker
- Left stranded off Bulgaria's coast
- A Turkish tugboat was supposed to tow it, but something went wrong
- The ship was left without power or heat
- The Bulgarian Navy had to airlift some crew members to safety
The Mersin Tanker
- Hit off the coast of Senegal
- The crew was rescued, but the ship was left stranded with tons of diesel fuel on board
- Videos online show the ship sinking, but it's not clear who was behind the attack
Ukraine's Stance
Ukraine hasn't officially confirmed its involvement in these incidents. Meanwhile, the company that manages the Mersin has stopped all Russia-related voyages, saying the risks are too high.
Europe's Response
Europe has been trying to inspect these ships, but it's been slow. These ships have also been linked to drone sightings in Europe, adding to the mystery.
