"We Need to Cut Off Russia's Lifeline and Consider a Powerful Naval Blockade," Expert Says on Russia's Shadow Fleet

Political analyst and serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Musiienko, explained why it is important to secure a decision by the International Maritime Organization recognizing vessels belonging to Russia's shadow fleet as military targets, Politeka reports.

He shared his views on his blog.

"Russian oil convoys—and I would add convoys carrying gasoline and diesel as well—should be recognized as entirely legitimate military targets. This is justified because they help Putin finance the war and enable Russia to keep its military machine running. Similar appeals should be submitted to the UN, the EU, and the OSCE, making it clear that Ukraine cannot control or be held responsible if unidentified surface drones appear in certain areas of the Baltic, Black, and Caspian Seas and attack vessels transporting gasoline to Russia," Musiienko said.

He also recalled that Putin repeatedly mocked Europeans by launching drones at their cities while claiming they were of unknown origin. Therefore, he argued, unidentified surface and underwater drones should likewise begin appearing in the Baltic, Black, and Caspian Seas.

"We need to cut off Russia's lifeline and start considering a powerful naval blockade. We should consult with the countries of Northern Europe, work jointly with Türkiye in the Black Sea, and discuss imposing a naval blockade, including closing the Bosporus to Russian vessels or ships bound for Russian ports. International maritime law and global approaches to maritime security must be revised following the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, after Iran repeatedly sought to block the strait and hold hostage Asian countries and others that depend on maritime trade," Musiienko explained.

The expert also recalled that it would not have been possible to defeat Hitler and Nazism during the Second World War without strikes on convoys, ports, and shipyards where submarines and other military assets were built.

According to Musiienko, Russia must be cut off from the seas, and "good pirate surface drones" should be allowed to do their work without interference.