Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on October 7, 2025
1 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleZelenskiy accuses Russia of using tankers for espionage and sabotage, urging allies to respond. Drones launched from tankers highlight the threat.
KYIV (Reuters) -Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy accused Russia on Tuesday of using oil tankers for intelligence gathering and sabotage operations.
Zelenskiy, writing in a post on Telegram after receiving a briefing from Ukraine's foreign intelligence chief, said his country was cooperating with allies on the matter.
"Currently, Russians are using tankers not only to earn money for the war, but also for reconnaissance and even sabotage activities. It is entirely possible to stop this," he said.
Speaking later in his nightly video address, Zelenskiy said foreign intelligence chief Oleh Ivashchenko described in his report how Russia was using tankers from its "shadow fleet" to "conduct sabotage and destabilising operations in Europe."
"Recent cases of drones being launched from tankers are one such example," he said. "We are sharing this information with partners and it is important that their response to Russia be real."
(Reporting by Yuliia Dysa. Writing by Max Hunder. Editing by Mark Potter, Ron Popeski and Mark Porter)
Reconnaissance refers to the act of gathering information about an area or situation, often for military purposes. It involves observing and collecting data to assess potential threats or opportunities.
Sabotage is the deliberate destruction or damage of property or equipment, often to hinder an enemy's operations. It can involve various tactics to disrupt normal activities.
Intelligence gathering is the process of collecting information to understand a situation, assess risks, or inform decision-making. It is crucial in military, security, and business contexts.
A shadow fleet refers to a group of ships or vehicles that operate outside of official regulations or oversight, often used for clandestine activities or to evade detection.
Allies are countries or groups that work together for mutual benefit, especially in military operations. They collaborate to strengthen their positions and achieve common objectives.
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