Russia has been accused by Kyiv of utilizing oil tankers as strategic maritime bases for launching drone attacks on European nations. This development follows Ukraine’s response to Russia’s recent assaults, including the tragic death of a 12-year-old girl in Kyiv.
President Zelensky emphasized the necessity of imposing sanctions that would disrupt Russia’s energy trade and tanker fleet infrastructure. Intelligence reports indicate that Russian forces are deploying these tankers to operate drones targeting European territories, underscoring the urgency for European nations to prohibit Russian vessels in regional waters.
Reports have surfaced of unidentified drones flying near military installations and critical infrastructure in several European countries, including Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Poland, among others. These incidents have raised concerns about potential “hybrid” operations linked to Russia, with fears that the Kremlin could deploy swarms of drones from oil tankers, posing challenges to European air defenses.
Amid escalating tensions, Danish authorities reported drone sightings near the Karup military base, the largest in the country housing various armed forces assets. President Zelensky’s warning follows a deadly Russian assault over the weekend, resulting in multiple casualties in Kyiv, the capital city.
In response to the attacks, the US is contemplating supplying Ukraine with Tomahawk cruise missiles. The Ukrainian air force disclosed that Russia launched a significant number of exploding drones and missiles during the assault, with a majority intercepted by air defenses.
The bombardment targeted several regions across Ukraine, leaving scores injured. Tragically, a 12-year-old girl lost her life in the violence, highlighting the devastating impact of the conflict. President Zelensky condemned the attacks, calling for international pressure on Russia to cease its aggressive actions.
Residents in Kyiv described scenes of destruction and fear following the recent attacks, with reports of buildings damaged and casualties. The Kremlin has maintained that its military operations target only military sites, refraining from immediate comment on the recent incidents.
The ongoing conflict has prompted military responses from neighboring countries, such as Poland, which deployed fighter jets in a defensive posture as Russia carried out strikes in western Ukraine. These defensive measures were labeled as “preventive” by Polish military officials in response to the escalating hostilities.