Is Russia Weaponizing its Oil Tankers? Zelenskyy Says Yes

Kyiv – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made a startling accusation: Russia is weaponizing its civilian oil tanker fleet. He claims the vessels are being used for espionage and sabotage, marking a significant escalation in hybrid warfare.
“Russia was using tankers not only to earn money for the war, but also for reconnaissance and even sabotage activities,” Zelenskyy stated. This allegation suggests a coordinated effort by the Kremlin to use all available assets for its military campaign.
The Ukrainian government is mobilizing a response. Zelenskyy said he is working with international allies to find a way to counter this threat, stating with confidence that “it is entirely possible to stop this.”
This accusation came as Russian President Vladimir Putin was celebrating more conventional military victories. He announced that his forces had captured nearly 5,000 square kilometers of Ukrainian land this year and that Russia now holds the “complete strategic initiative.”
Putin also issued a grave warning to the United States. He cautioned that supplying Ukraine with Tomahawk long-range missiles would trigger a “qualitatively new stage of escalation” and lead to the collapse of U.S.-Russia relations.