Moscow/Kyiv – The focus of the war in Ukraine is diverging, with Russia emphasizing its conventional land campaign while Ukraine is drawing global attention to an unconventional conflict allegedly unfolding at sea.
From the Kremlin, the narrative is centered on territorial control. President Vladimir Putin announced his forces have captured nearly 5,000 square kilometers in 2025, a gain he claims has given Russia the “complete strategic initiative” and a decisive advantage on the ground.
From Kyiv, the focus is on Russian subterfuge in international waters. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made the serious accusation that Russia is using its oil tanker fleet for military intelligence gathering and to conduct sabotage operations.
Zelenskyy has asserted that this maritime threat is manageable. He stated that Ukraine is working in close collaboration with its allies to develop countermeasures, expressing his firm belief that “it is entirely possible to stop this.”
This divergence is happening under the shadow of a potential superpower crisis. Putin has warned the United States that supplying Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine would trigger a “qualitatively new stage of escalation” and lead to an irreparable break in their relations.