Moscow – President Vladimir Putin has claimed a major military advance in Ukraine, stating that nearly 5,000 square kilometers of territory have been captured this year. Simultaneously, he issued a stark threat to the United States, warning of “destroyed” relations if Tomahawk missiles are sent to Kyiv.
The territorial claim was made at a meeting with top military commanders, where Putin asserted that Russia now holds the “complete strategic initiative.” This message is intended to convey that Moscow is in a dominant position and its military objectives are being met.
The threat to Washington was specific and severe. Putin stated that the supply of Tomahawk long-range missiles would trigger a “qualitatively new stage of escalation,” arguing that their use would require direct U.S. military involvement and would thus be an unacceptable provocation.
While Putin focused on military gains and geopolitical threats, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed a different dimension of the conflict. He accused Russia of using its civilian oil tanker fleet for intelligence gathering and sabotage operations.
Zelenskyy affirmed that a coordinated response is being prepared. He stated that Ukraine is working with its allies to counter this unconventional threat, expressing his belief that “it is entirely possible to stop this.”