Putin threatens to 'cut Ukraine off from the sea' after attacks on tankers

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks with journalists as he attends the VTB Investment Forum "Russia Calling!" in Moscow, Russia, December 2, 2025. Sergei Ilnitsky/Pool via REUTERS

MOSCOW, Dec 2 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened on Tuesday to sever Ukraine's access to the sea in response to drone attacks on tankers of Russia's "shadow fleet" in the Black Sea.

"The most radical solution is to cut Ukraine off from the sea, then piracy will be impossible in principle," Putin said in televised remarks.