NYT: Ukraine Begins Hunt For Russian Oil Tankers

There has been a naval strike on the Kremlin's purse strings.

Ukraine has for the first time publicly recognized attacks on oil tankers by Russia's "shadow fleet." Four ships were hit by drones in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean

It was reported by NYT.

In recent weeks, Ukrainian drones have attacked four oil tankers linked to Russia's "shadow fleet," which helps Moscow circumvent international sanctions.

Three of the vessels were hit by maritime drones in the Black Sea, another by aerial drones in the Mediterranean Sea, more than 1,200 miles from Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Security Service confirmed that all of the affected tankers were headed to Russian ports to load with oil, particularly Novorossiysk, Russia's largest oil hub in the Black Sea. The vessels were empty at the time of the attacks.

In addition, the SBU said four strikes on Russian oil production platforms in the Caspian Sea in the last ten days alone.

Analysts note: the purpose of these actions is not so much to physically destroy the fleet as to increase the risks and cost of transportation, increase insurance rates and pressure on Russia's partners.

"No money - no war machine," experts explain, emphasizing that oil remains the main source of funding for Russian aggression.

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has already said that the attacks will allegedly have no effect and threatened a response. At the same time, experts see the strikes as a clear signal to both Moscow and Europe - either stronger sanctions or increased risks to shipping.

Ukraine uses "Sea Babies" maritime drones, developed and operated by Ukrainian intelligence, which are capable of traveling long distances and carrying out pinpoint strikes on targets at sea.

Russia's "shadow fleet"

Russia has created a so-called "shadow fleet" after the imposition of Western sanctions. We are talking about hundreds of old tankers under foreign flags, with switched off tracking systems and dubious insurance, which transport oil to India, China and other countries.

The European Union has already placed more than 500 such vessels on sanctions lists, and recently announced new restrictions against companies and individuals associated with this fleet. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky also announced the largest package of Ukrainian sanctions, covering hundreds of vessels.

In the past, Kiev has refrained from striking oil infrastructure for fear of escalation and impact on global prices. However, the current attacks indicate a change in strategy - Ukraine is trying to undermine the economic basis of the war and strengthen its position on the eve of possible peace talks.

Experts note that while the strikes on tankers alone will not stop Russian oil exports, combined with attacks on refineries, platforms and sanctions, they are gradually narrowing the Kremlin's financial options and making the war more expensive for Moscow.

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