Putin threatens with "the isolation of Ukraine from the sea" after the attacks on Russian tankers

Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened on Tuesday that Russia could "isolate" Ukraine from the sea, in response to drone attacks on Russian oil tankers in the Black Sea. He warned that Moscow would intensify strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure and could also target ships from countries supporting Kiev.

The threat comes after attacks claimed by Ukraine on sanctioned oil tankers and after a separate incident off the coast of Turkey, for which Kiev denied involvement. Putin made the statements during an economic forum in Moscow, stating that Russia does not want a conflict with Europe, but is prepared to fight if necessary.