Putin threatens ships aiding Ukraine after tanker attacks

Putin threatens ships aiding Ukraine, warning in Moscow on Dec. 2 that Russia may respond against vessels of countries assisting Kyiv if tanker attacks continue. He called the operations “pirate” actions and said Russia could escalate against Ukrainian maritime infrastructure, according to Reuters and Interfax. Because nothing says maritime discipline like threatening to expand a war at sea.

He spoke at the Russia Calling forum Moscow, where he said Russia “will consider the possibility … of retaliatory measures against the vessels of those countries that assist Ukraine.” Reuters and TASS reported he also characterized the strikes as “piracy” and signaled expanded targeting of port facilities.

Why Putin threatens ships aiding Ukraine now

The immediate context is a cluster of russian tanker attacks Black Sea and drone activity. Ukrainian officials said naval drones struck the sanctioned tankers Kairos and Virat, part of the so-called shadow fleet, according to Reuters and the Financial Times. Meanwhile, Turkey’s maritime authority said a Russian-flagged tanker, MIDVOLGA-2, was hit roughly 130 kilometers off its coast, Ukraine denied involvement in that incident, per AP and Reuters.

The pattern suggests a campaign of ukrainian naval drones tankers operations aimed at Russia-linked shipping. However, one strike occurred near Turkey’s waters, adding diplomatic friction. Insert dramatic eye roll here, great news for insurers.

Timeline: strikes before Putin threatens ships aiding Ukraine

• Late November to early December: Ukraine-linked sources highlight ukrainian naval drones tankers hits on Kairos and Virat, with Turkey saying those occurred in its exclusive economic zone, according to AP and FT.
• Dec. 2: Authorities report the MIDVOLGA-2 attack Turkey EEZ about 130 kilometers off Turkey’s coast, crew unharmed, AP noted.
• Dec. 2 (later): At the Russia Calling forum Moscow, Putin warns Russia may consider measures against ships of countries aiding Ukraine and calls the strikes “piracy,” per Reuters, Interfax, and TASS.

‘Piracy’ framing and expanded strikes on ports

“What the Ukrainian armed forces are doing now is piracy,” Putin said, as reported by Interfax and echoed by Reuters. Consequently, he warned Russia would broaden strikes on Ukrainian port facilities and on ships entering Ukrainian ports, according to Interfax and Bloomberg reporting via gCaptain.

That framing attempts to recast the legal stakes at sea. It also seeks to justify escalation beyond military targets, though Russia has already hit ports during the war, per available reports.

‘Most radical’ option: cutting Ukraine off from the sea

Putin also floated a maximalist step: “The most radical solution is to cut Ukraine off from the sea, then piracy will be impossible in principle,” Reuters and TASS reported. The phrase “cut Ukraine off from the sea” underlines an extreme countermeasure rather than an immediate plan.

Still, even discussing how to cut Ukraine off from the sea is intended to deter future attacks. It also signals that the maritime front could widen if incidents persist.

Risks to Black Sea shipping and energy flows

The warnings broaden risk beyond combatants to third-country vessels. If Russia targets ships it deems to be aiding Kyiv, routing decisions and insurance costs could shift. After the MIDVOLGA-2 attack Turkey EEZ and other russian tanker attacks Black Sea, commercial mariners face a more complex risk map, AP and Reuters suggest.

Moreover, any expansion of strikes on Ukrainian ports could disrupt grain and fuel movements. The Financial Times has documented a broader push against Russia’s shadow fleet, which adds volatility to already fragile routes. For regional traders, this is where geopolitics meets freight rates, again.

Finally, escalation at sea invites miscalculation near neutral waters. As incidents stack up, the legal fog thickens faster than winter weather.

What’s next

Watch for any concrete Russian retaliation against foreign-flag vessels and signs of expanded strikes on Ukrainian port infrastructure, as flagged in Reuters and Interfax. Also monitor further maritime-drone attempts, another MIDVOLGA-2 attack Turkey EEZ-type episode would test these threats.

If attacks continue, expect renewed talk about how to cut Ukraine off from the sea, even if it remains a distant, high-risk option. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s use of ukrainian naval drones tankers techniques and Russia’s response will set the tone for winter shipping in the Black Sea.