With attacks on oil tankers, Ukraine takes aim at Russia’s war financing

Monday, December 22, 2025 -In a sharp escalation of its campaign against Russia’s war funding, Ukraine has begun targeting oil tankers linked to Moscow’s so-called shadow fleet in an effort to disrupt the revenue streams that sustain the invasion. 

In recent weeks, Ukrainian forces have struck multiple tankers connected to sanctioned Russian oil exports, including a notable drone strike beyond the Black Sea. The move signals a widening operational reach and a deliberate focus on vessels used to bypass Western restrictions and deliver oil to global buyers, a key source of income for the Russian state.

The immediate impact is both economic and strategic. By damaging or disabling these tankers, Ukraine is increasing the cost and risk of transporting Russian oil at a time when sanctions, insurance limits, and enforcement pressure are already tightening. 

Ukrainian officials have also stepped up strikes on oil-related infrastructure, reinforcing a broader strategy aimed at cash flows rather than only battlefield targets. The goal is clear: weaken Russia’s ability to finance the war while shifting leverage in ongoing diplomatic and military calculations.

The urgency of this approach extends far beyond Ukraine. These attacks raise concerns about maritime security, shipping routes, and energy markets, underscoring how the conflict is increasingly being fought on a financial front. 

For Kyiv, each disrupted shipment represents more than a tactical success — it’s a direct challenge to the economic engine behind the war. As the conflict moves forward, the effectiveness and consequences of this strategy could shape international responses, sanctions enforcement, and the war’s direction in the months ahead.