Ukrainian President Zelensky Warns of Drone Threats Over European Cities
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Russia’s “shadow fleet” of oil tankers is being used to launch and control Russian drones over European cities. This comes amid increased tension between Russia and NATO countries over airspace violation.
Zelensky made the comments during his evening address, citing intelligence reports that reveal the extent of Russia’s drone threats. According to Zelensky, Russian drones have violated Polish, Romanian, and possibly Dutch, Finnish, and Danish airspace over the past month. This includes Estonia’s accusation that Russia violated its airspace with three MiG-31 fighter jets on September 19, which remained in Estonian airspace for 12 minutes.
Shadow Fleet Targeted by Western Sanctions
Zelensky called for additional sanctions to be implemented on Russia’s shadow fleet, amid the drone threats. He emphasized that it is especially important that the sanctions hit Russia’s energy trade and the entire infrastructure of the Russian tanker fleet painfully. This is further evidence that the Baltic Sea and other seas should be closed to Russian tankers, at least for the shadow fleet.
The shadow fleet includes hundreds of older, often uninsured or poorly maintained tankers. These typically operate under the flags of other countries and have little transparency, making it difficult for regulators to enforce sanctions. Russia’s shadow fleet has been increasingly targeted by Western sanctions as Ukraine’s international partners seek to limit Russian oil revenues, which help fund Moscow’s war machine.
International Pressure Mounts
Amid the European Union’s anticipated 19th sanctions package, U.S. officials have also considered new sanctions on Russia’s shadow fleet should Russian President Vladimir Putin fail to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine. Despite an initial deadline for the sanctions being set for August 8, U.S. President Joe Biden has yet to implement additional sanctions on Russia.
Following Zelensky’s meeting with Biden in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly earlier this week, the Ukrainian president said in his evening address that Kyiv “counts on strong steps from the United States of America.”
Original Article: Russia using ‘shadow fleet’ tankers to launch drones towards European cities, Zelensky says — Kyivindependent