Ukrainian attacks on Russian tankers aim to raise insurance costs–Putin
Speaking at a year-end press conference in Moscow, Putin stated, "This is being done, among other things, for a utilitarian goal—to increase insurance premiums. This will not lead to the expected result, in the end, will not disrupt any supplies, but will only create an additional threat. A response from our side will follow."
He emphasized that Russian forces regularly respond to tanker attacks with “retaliatory strikes incomparable to what” Kyiv carries out, and condemned attacks on civilian infrastructure.
"Everything that damages civilian infrastructure, not combatants, people who have no relation to hostilities, is, of course, worthy of the sharpest condemnation. Our response will always follow," Putin said.
Earlier on Friday, Ukraine claimed responsibility for a drone strike on the Russian tanker Qendil in the Mediterranean Sea, calling it its "first long-range drone strike" on a Russian vessel, according to media reports citing Kyiv’s Security Service. The attack, approximately 1,243 miles from Ukraine’s borders, reportedly caused critical damage, rendering the tanker inoperable, and was described as a "new, unprecedented special operation."
This follows earlier strikes in late November, when Ukrainian drones targeted the sanctioned commercial tankers Kairos and Virat in the Black Sea. Türkiye expressed concern over those attacks, calling for a halt to strikes on energy infrastructure.
Most recently, on Dec. 18, another drone strike hit a tanker at Russia’s Rostov-on-Don port, killing two crew members and injuring three others, according to reports.
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