After Ukrainian Black Sea attacks on Russian oil tankers, Putin threatens to resort to 'most radical solution'

Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened on Tuesday to “cut off” Ukraine from the sea in response to drone attacks on oil tankers by Russia's “ghost fleet” in the Black Sea, writes Reuters.

“The most radical solution is to isolate Ukraine from the sea so that piracy becomes impossible in principle,” Putin said in a televised speech.

The Kremlin leader added that Russia would step up attacks on Ukrainian facilities and ships and take action against oil tankers of countries that help Kiev.

“If attacks on oil tankers continue, we will consider retaliation against the ships of countries that assist Ukraine. I hope that Ukraine and those behind it will consider whether it is worth continuing attacks on ships in the Black Sea,” the Russian president said.

On Saturday, a Ukrainian security official said Ukrainian naval drones struck two sanctioned oil tankers in the Black Sea as they were en route to a Russian port to be loaded with crude destined for foreign markets.

A Russian-flagged oil tanker carrying sunflower oil reported a drone attack off the coast of Turkey on Tuesday, but its 13 crew members were not injured, the Turkish Maritime Authority and Tribeca shipping agency said. Ukraine said it had nothing to do with this incident.

Ukraine also carried out missile and drone attacks on Russia's Black Sea port of Novorossiisk, which disrupted oil shipments.

Putin did not elaborate on his threat to cut off Ukraine's maritime access. Russia captured parts of southern and eastern Ukraine in the war that began in February 2022, but Ukraine remains firmly in control of key ports, including Odesa.

The Kremlin leader made these statements at an investment forum, shortly before meeting with American representatives sent to Moscow. At the same event, he stated that Moscow does not want a war with European powers, but that if Europe wants war, Russia is ready to fight right now.