Moscow – President Vladimir Putin has made a bold two-pronged declaration, simultaneously boasting of significant military achievements and issuing a stern ultimatum to the United States. He claimed Russian forces have taken control of almost 5,000 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory so far this year.
Speaking at a meeting with his senior military leadership, Putin asserted that Russia now holds the “complete strategic initiative,” a claim intended to project confidence and control over the conflict’s trajectory. He added that Ukrainian strikes inside Russia would not alter this strategic reality.
The Russian leader then pivoted his focus to Washington, delivering a sharp warning against the provision of Tomahawk long-range missiles to Ukraine. He stated that such a move would be viewed by Moscow as a major escalation, effectively destroying any remaining diplomatic ties with the United States.
In a separate but related development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of a different kind of warfare. He alleged that Moscow is using its fleet of oil tankers for clandestine purposes, including intelligence gathering and sabotage operations, thereby blurring the lines between commercial and military activities.
Despite the gravity of the accusation, Zelenskyy conveyed a message of resolve. He stated that Kyiv is working with its allies to counter this threat, expressing confidence that it is “entirely possible” to put an end to Russia’s alleged use of tankers for military purposes.